DEFENCE

Submarines

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken to sell submarines in the last two years; with whom he negotiated; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my noble Friend Lord Robertson, the then Secretary of State for Defence, gave on 6 April 1998, Official Report, column 56W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth (John Healey) and my answers to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 23 October 2000, Official Report, column 30W, and 19 December 2000, Official Report, column 89W, the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 31 October 2000, Official Report, column 341W, the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 20 December 2000, Official Report, column 184W, the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford (Mr. Davies) on 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 717W, and the hon. Member for Henley (Mr. Johnson) on 20 July 2001, Official Report, columns 717–18W.
	Canada has acquired the four ex-Royal Navy Upholder class submarines. The acquisition takes the form of an eight-year lease with the option of outright purchase.
	The first of the refurbished submarines was handed over to Canada on 6 October 2000, with the second submarine being handed over to Canada on 4 October 2001. It is planned that the two remaining submarines will follow over the next 14 months. Canada has exercised its option to purchase outright the first submarine, HMCS Victoria.

Military Equipment (Updating)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the armed forces have to update existing military equipment with particular reference to radio communications equipment, following the contribution of UK forces to the conflict in Afghanistan.

Lewis Moonie: I have nothing to add to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave on 29 October 2001, Official Report, columns 513–14W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann).

Armed Forces (Recruitment)

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent initiatives have been taken to increase the level of recruitment to the armed forces.

Adam Ingram: All three services undertake numerous and varied initiatives, both at national and local level, aimed at increasing the level of recruitment to the armed forces. Included among the many current initiatives are:
	The use of multi-media advertising campaigns.
	Services' Recruiting Teams' attendance at schools, careers fairs and Graduate Recruitment Seminars, road shows, exhibitions, youth clubs and organisations.
	Work experience placements within service establishments.
	Personal Development Courses and 'Look at Life' Courses for people who express an interest in the armed forces.
	Taster Day visits to HM ships and service establishments.
	A dedicated careers website for each of the services.
	Introduction by the Army of an 'on-line' recruiting office, with plans for this to be replicated by the other services.
	Specialist Ethnic Minority Recruiting and Diversity Action Teams aimed at promoting armed forces careers to ethnic minority communities.
	A partnership with the Employment Service, making use of its local outlets 'Jobcentre Plus'.

RAF St. Athan

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the consultants' report on the relocation of the fixed wing aircraft repair business of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency from RAF St. Athan to Cardiff International airport.

Adam Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 707W. The position has not changed.

RAF St. Athan

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from business in the Vale of Glamorgan on the Defence Aviation Repair Agency's unsuccessful attempt to relocate its fixed wing aircraft repair business from RAF St. Athan to Cardiff International airport.

Adam Ingram: The only representation received to date by the Chief Executive of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) was from Mr. Derek Gaynor, the landlord of the Highwayman Inn in Nurston.
	Mr. Gaynor has since been informed about the current position concerning Cardiff International airport by officials from the Welsh Development Agency.

Armed Forces (Training)

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received regarding the (a) Defence Intelligence and Security Centre defence agency review of training of armed forces and (b) other intelligence agencies; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 30 October 2001
	The Defence Intelligence and Security Centre (DISC) is not conducting a review of training, but is undergoing a Quinquennial Review (QQR) of its agency status, part of which will involve an analysis of current and future training activity. This review was announced on 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 710W. Comments were requested by 15 September 2001 and to date we have received one representation. The review is due to be complete by February 2002.
	Separately, the report of the Defence Training Review, announced to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 27 March 2001, Official Report, column 545W, included a proposal to collocate security training, language training and possible joint photographic training. On 19 July, I announced that the DISC was being examined as the Ministry of Defence's benchmark site for security, intelligence, language and photography training, Official Report, column 334W.
	The only other intelligence agency within the MOD is the Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency (DGIA), which was launched on 1 April 2000, formed from the merger of two defence intelligence agencies, the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (JARIC) and Military Survey. The DGIA provides imagery intelligence and geographic support to defence policy, planning, operations and training.

Road Safety Report 1999–2000

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Defence Annual Road Safety report for 1999–2000 will be placed in the Library.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 October 2001, Official Report, columns 321–22W. I stated that the report would be placed in the Library of the House shortly, and I am pleased to confirm that this was done on 29 October 2001.

HMS Ocean

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what nature of refit is required by HMS Ocean; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces to the Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 20 November 2000, Official Report, column 12W.

HMS Ocean

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mechanical problems are being repaired on HMS Ocean; when repairs are expected to be completed; when HMS Ocean will be ready for re-deployment; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer which the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces gave him on 20 November 2000, Official Report, column 12W.
	Subject to operational considerations, HMS Ocean will be available for operational tasking by late spring 2002, following completion of the routine docking period.

Defence Logistics Organisation

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he expects Defence Logistics Organisation (a) current expenditure and (b) capital expenditure to be within their respective estimates provision in the current financial year; and if he will indicate the relevant figures.

Adam Ingram: The estimates provision at the start of the year for the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) was made up of £3,421 million for current and £612 million for capital expenditure. As I explained in my reply of 26 October 2001, Official Report, columns 405–06W, in the normal course of business there are adjustments to these limits as the year unfolds, which will be finalised in time for the spring supplementary estimates. We would expect DLO expenditure to be within estimates provision at the year end.

Joint Strike Fighter Programme

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the Joint Strike Fighter programme.

Geoff Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 29 October 2001, Official Report, column 514W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Linda Gilroy).

Territorial Army

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the decision taken in the Strategic Defence Review to reduce the role of the TA in nuclear biological chemical reconnaissance; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Lewis Moonie: There are no plans to review the decisions taken in the Strategic Defence Review with regard to the role of the Territorial Army in nuclear biological chemical reconnaissance. Since the SDR a regular Joint NBC Regiment comprising Army/RAF elements has been formed at RAF Honington, and became operational in December 1999. Its role is NBC reconnaissance, survey, detection/identification/monitoring and decontamination. Currently, two squadrons of the Royal Yeomanry form the reserve element of the Joint NBC Regiment.

Exercise Swift Sword

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to use Exercise Swift Sword to increase recruitment to the armed forces.

Adam Ingram: An Army recruiting initiative 'Operation London Soldier', from 10 to 23 September 2001, culminated in a competition on 30 September. The planned prize had been a period with Exercise Swift Sword. However, due to the events of 11 September, a replacement prize of one week of military/adventure training in Gibraltar was introduced instead.
	Exercise Swift Sword, as with all such large exercises, served to heighten awareness of the armed forces, with considerable daily coverage in the media. In addition, the live footage and photographs from the exercise will be used to enhance and update the services' recruiting libraries and will provide up to date and topical material for future recruiting literature.

Afghanistan

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will urge his American counterpart to stop US forces using cluster bombs over Afghanistan.

Geoff Hoon: The cluster bombs used in Afghanistan do not contain anti-personnel landmines and are, therefore, legitimate weapons that have not been prohibited by any treaty or convention. They are used with discretion and proportionality and against legitimate and appropriate terrorist and military targets that are selected with great care.

Afghanistan

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the (a) use of and (b) preparedness to use napalm in Afghanistan of coalition forces.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 30 October 2001
	No napalm has been used by coalition forces operating in the Afghanistan region and there are no plans to do so.

Afghanistan

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on a bombing pause to assist the more effective delivery of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: As the UN has made clear, the military campaign as such has not hampered the delivery of assistance in any significant way. We have no plans at present to suspend military activity in Afghanistan in order to facilitate the delivery of aid, not least because a pause in the bombing would simply encourage the Taliban to harass humanitarian supplies more than at present.

Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme; and when he expects studies to be complete.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 26 October 2001
	The Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme was completed in August 2001. An unclassified summary of the final report is in preparation for publication and copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House in due course.

Drugs (Armed Forces)

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if disciplinary action over drug taking is exercised consistently between the three services.

Adam Ingram: All the services have similar disciplinary procedures for dealing with drugs offences which include trial by court martial and, on a verdict of guilty, usually results in dismissal from the service following a period of military detention.

Drugs (Armed Forces)

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have been tested under the Compulsory Drug Testing programme in the last year in each of the three services; and how many have tested positive in each case.

Adam Ingram: The figures for all service personnel in the calendar year 2000 are as follows:
	
		
			  Service Underwent Compulsory Drug Testing (CDT)   Tested positive 
		
		
			 Royal Navy 13,951 50 
			 Army 117,659 609 
			 Royal Air Force 11,610 14

Drugs (Armed Forces)

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what disciplinary action was taken by each of the three services in the last year in respect of service personnel who tested positive under the Compulsory Drug Testing programme.

Adam Ingram: During the year 2000, no disciplinary action was taken against personnel from any of the three services for testing positive at a Compulsory Drugs Test (CDT). Failure of a CDT will normally lead to the Administrative Discharge of an individual on the basis that drugs are incompatible with service in the armed forces. A positive test by itself is not a criminal or disciplinary offence. Disciplinary action will only be invoked, in relation to CDT, if an individual commits the offence of failing to provide a urine sample for the purpose of testing.

Drugs (Armed Forces)

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to alter regulations and penalties for possession of cannabis among servicemen and women, following the changes proposed in civilian life by the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Adam Ingram: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's proposal concerned the reclassification of cannabis. However, misuse of drugs, of all classes, will remain incompatible with the requirements of life in the armed forces.

Porton Down Veterans Support Group

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will invite the Porton Down Veterans Support Group to the next meeting of the Veterans Forum.

Lewis Moonie: Yes. The next meeting of the Veterans Plenary Forum is scheduled to take place on 17 April 2002.

Tomahawk Cruise Missiles

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tomahawk cruise missiles have been fired by British forces during the present action in Afghanistan.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 29 October 2001
	Royal Navy submarines fired a small number of Tomahawk land attack missiles on 7 October and 13 October.
	I am withholding the precise information requested under Exemption 1a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to national defence.

Regular Commission Boards

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future location and organisation of the regular commission boards. [R]

Adam Ingram: The Regular Commission Board (RCB), which is currently based at Westbury in Wiltshire, is part of the Army Training and Recruiting Agency (ATRA). Its role is to select potential officers for entry to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), also part of ATRA.
	Historically, the RCB was part of the Directorate of Army Recruiting but in 1998 it was placed under the control of RMAS, as there is clearly a synergy between the selection and training of potential officers.
	We have now decided that RCB should be collocated with RMAS as from February 2003. Collocation of the two parts of what is essentially a single operation will further enhance coherence, achieve economies of scale and could enable ATRA to achieve a degree of estate rationalisation. The role and ethos of RCB will not change.

Territorial Commissioning Board

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future locations and organisation of the territorial commissioning board. [R]

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence is examining various options to determine the best way to operate the Territorial Commissioning Board and I expect a decision to be made by the end of the year. I will write to the hon. Member when I know the outcome and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Defence Industry

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the paper being prepared by the Defence Procurement Agency on the future of the defence industry to be published; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 30 October 2001
	It is not intended to publish this paper as it is for the purposes of internal discussion and advice only. I am therefore withholding it under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Armed Forces (Advanced Driving)

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many active servicemen successfully completed advanced driving safety courses in the last 12 months.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 30 October 2001
	The Ministry of Defence does not run specific courses teaching advanced driving safety, although service personnel do attend courses provided by organisations such as the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA). This training is arranged locally. The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	MOD does, however, provide training for all categories of driving licences. This includes basic training plus familiarisation training on the relevant type of vehicle, refresher training, and any specialist courses required. All these courses stress the importance of driving safely. More specifically, MOD has recently introduced a defensive driving training programme—some 4,000 personnel were given this training over the year April 2000 to March 2001.

Nuclear Installations

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if security at nuclear installations has been upgraded in respect of terrorist threat; and what plans he has to take further measures.

Adam Ingram: The standing level of security at Ministry of Defence nuclear installations is maintained at a high level and is specifically designed to counter an attack by armed terrorists. This high baseline level of security is maintained at MOD nuclear installations irrespective of fluctuations in the terrorist alert states that may apply to other Government establishments or MOD installations. Security measures at defence nuclear establishments include armed guarding and strict control of access. As my hon. Friend would expect, these security arrangements are kept under constant review.
	My hon. Friend would not expect me to go into detail regarding any additional security measures that may be adopted in the future.

MOD F680 Export Control Applications

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MOD 680 export control applications (a) are awaiting decision and (b) have been waiting for (i) one month or more, (ii) two months or more, (iii) three months or more, (iv) six months or more and (v) one year or more.

Lewis Moonie: The F680 is an informal process under which companies can obtain advice on the prospects for approval of exports at the marketing stage. The F680 also gives formal clearance for release of classified information, where required, for marketing purposes. The information sought is not currently held in the form requested. However, the Ministry of Defence is carrying out an audit of extant F680 applications as part of a programme to improve this service to industry. I will write to the hon. Member when this work is completed and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Biological Warfare

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with pharmaceutical companies about facilities used for the creation of biological organisms and toxins with potential for warfare.

Jacqui Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has had no such discussions.

Biological Warfare

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what vaccines the Government have in place to treat biological agents, organisms and toxins affecting the population.

Jacqui Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	We have existing stocks across the whole range of potential bioterrorist threats. Our contingency planning is responsible and proportionate. For security reasons, we cannot reveal levels or locations of either vaccine or antibiotic stocks.

PRIME MINISTER

Interception of Communications Commissioner

Brian White: To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to publish the next annual report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner; and if it will be available electronically.

Tony Blair: I have today laid before the House the annual reports for 2000 of the Interception of Communications Commissioner, the right hon. Sir Swinton Thomas, and the Intelligence Services Commissioner, the right hon. Lord Justice Simon Brown. The confidential annexes have been excluded in accordance with section 58(7) and 60(5) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. The annual reports will be available on the Cabinet Office website. I am grateful to the Commissioners for their work.

Occupational Health and Vocational Rehabilitation

Tim Boswell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will clarify departmental and agency responsibilities for occupational health and vocational rehabilitation.

Tony Blair: The Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Salford (Ms Blears), is responsible for occupational health services provided by the NHS. The Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, North (Malcolm Wicks), is responsible for vocational rehabilitation.

Afghanistan

Alex Salmond: To ask the Prime Minister what British planes taking off from the base in Diego Garcia have dropped cluster bombs during the military action in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the use of cluster bombs in Afghanistan, with particular reference to British involvement.

Tony Blair: No UK aircraft have directly taken part in the bombing campaign.
	The cluster bombs used in Afghanistan are legitimate weapons, which have not been prohibited by any treaty or convention. They are used only with discretion and proportionality, as international law requires, and against legitimate and appropriate terrorist and military targets.

Afghanistan

Alex Salmond: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with President Bush on the armaments used during the military action in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: We are in close contact with the US on all aspects of the response to the attacks of 11 September, including at the military planning level.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Child Care Facilities

Caroline Flint: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, in what ways the Commission plans to assist access for children of staff, hon. Members and hon. Members' staff to daycare facilities.

Archy Kirkwood: The Commission already provides child care vouchers for staff of the House with small children. The vouchers are very flexible, and can be exchanged for various forms of daycare, including nursery places and care by nannies, childminders or certain relatives.
	For school aged children the House also ran a subsidised holiday playscheme for children of hon. Members and hon. Members' staff and staff of the House for six weeks in the summer. The Board of Management will be considering whether to extend the scheme for the future. Staff of the House are also eligible to use Westminster Playscheme run by the civil service.
	There is no specific responsibility on the Commission to provide facilities for children of Members and their staff, but Members can use their allowances to purchase vouchers or daycare facilities for their staff. The Department of Finance and Administration publishes information about finding child care facilities in the Westminster area on the intranet.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Zimbabwe

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of number of farm occupations taking place in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Committee of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers visited Zimbabwe on 25–26 October. They found a divergence in the views and facts relating to farm occupations. The Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) have reported that occupations continue unabated, and that since the Abuja meeting on 6 September, 688 farms had new people join the occupations. The CFU estimate 200–300 new occupations since 6 September. The Government of Zimbabwe dispute these figures. The Farm Community Trust of Zimbabwe have cited several new occupations since Abuja in Mashonaland West. At Abuja, the Government of Zimbabwe gave an assurance that there would be no further occupation of farm lands. We continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to abide by this commitment.

Zimbabwe

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy initiatives he plans to promote democracy and the rule of law in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: We remain concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe. At Abuja, the Government of Zimbabwe agreed to abide by the democratic and human rights principles contained in the Harare Declaration. My noble Friend Baroness Amos accompanied Commonwealth partners on a visit to Zimbabwe on 25–26 October, to assess implementation of the Abuja Agreement and to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to abide by their commitments. The EU opened Article 96 consultations on 29 October, to press for closer engagement with the Government of Zimbabwe on human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law. We continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to admit international election observers and to create a climate conducive to free and fair elections.

Zimbabwe

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of political violence in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: We remain concerned about political violence in Zimbabwe. In the Abuja Agreement, the Government of Zimbabwe agreed to take firm action against violence and intimidation. But the Chikomba by-election on 22–23 September was marred by violence. We continue to press the Government of Zimbabwe to permit the entry of international election observers, and to create a climate conducive to free and fair elections. My noble Friend Baroness Amos accompanied Commonwealth partners to Zimbabwe on 25–26 October, to assess implementation of the Abuja Agreement and to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to abide by their commitments.

Visa Centres

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to open the proposed visa centres in Jallandhar, Ahmedabad and Sylhet.

Ben Bradshaw: We have recently received formal approval from the Indian Government to open visa liaison offices in Jallandhar and Ahmedabad. We are identifying suitable premises and aim to open both offices by mid-2002. Work is almost complete on the Visa Liaison Office in Sylhet, which should open on schedule in November.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

Nuclear Waste (Transportation)

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if permission has been given to DRS railway transport company to increase the operating speed on trains moving spent nuclear fuel to Sellafield.

David Jamieson: No such permission has been given by the Department.

Railway Industry

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, local Government and the Regions when he informed the Rail Regulator of his Department's discussions with (a) passenger rail franchisees and (b) train operating companies for taking over responsibility for operating and maintaining railway infrastructure in the areas where they run train services.

John Spellar: Officials have had meetings on such matters with train operators' representatives or their advisers at their request. These have not resulted in any change in policy about which the Rail Regulator needed to be informed.

Railway Industry

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much public money was invested in Railtrack in each of the years since privatisation.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) 18 October 2001, Official Report, column 1315W.

Railway Industry

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much public money he estimates will be required to meet the 10-year plan's objectives for higher safety; and how this estimate has changed since the plan was published.

David Jamieson: Transport safety is a major priority for this Government and our £180 billion 10-year-plan will contribute towards delivering a safer transport system. It is not possible to give a precise figure about how much of that money will be required to meet the plan's safety objectives, because much of this expenditure will simultaneously deliver a range of benefits, including safety.

Railway Industry

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how the requirement for public sector investment in rail during the period of the 10-year plan will change as a result of the transfer of Railtrack assets to the proposed successor body.

David Jamieson: No change is expected.

Railway Industry

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many times he has met the Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority since June; and what the date of their last meeting was.

John Spellar: The Secretary of State and I have met the Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority on several occasions—specifically to discuss the Authority's work, as part of wider industry meetings and at the High Level Group for London Rail Projects, which last met on 4 October.

Railway Industry

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if Railtrack is able to meet the requirements of the Late Payments of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1999 in paying its contractors and suppliers.

David Jamieson: Yes.

Railway Industry

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 October 2001, Official Report, columns 195–97W, to the hon. Member for Preston (Mr. Hendrick), on the successor to Railtrack, what the credit rating of Railtrack was on 4 October.

John Spellar: The Standard & Poor's credit rating for Railtrack plc on 4 October 2001, based upon their research dated 2 May 2001, was single A-1 (short term).
	The Moody's credit rating for Railtrack plc on 4 October 2001, last updated in June 2001, was A2 (long term) and P-1 (short term).

Railway Industry

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the relationship between the future track access charge regime and the non-profit making status of the successor to Railtrack.

John Spellar: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on Tuesday 23 October 2001, Official Report, columns 195–97W.

Railway Industry

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans for placing responsibility for safety on stakeholder directors of Railtrack.

John Spellar: I have no such plans.

Railway Industry

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what arrangements he will make for the financing of the successor body to Railtrack so that it can meet its (a) network maintenance and (b) other obligations.

John Spellar: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Hendrick) on 23 October 2001, Official Report, columns 195–97W.

Railway Industry

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure train operating companies maintain the wheels of rolling stock and locomotives to minimise damage to the track.

David Jamieson: The Health and Safety Executive advise that there are Railway Group Standards governing the maintenance of the wheel profiles of rolling stock and locomotives. The train operating companies have systems in place regularly to monitor wheel profiles. Proper maintenance of the track is also an important issue, and the industry has set up a joint systems authority to develop solutions to the difficulties at the wheel/rail interface.

Railway Industry

David Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on the rail manufacturing and renovation industry of the decision to extend existing franchises by two years.

David Jamieson: The Government's policy is not to treat all franchises alike but to replace them early, or when they expire, or to extend their current term, whichever is most likely to deliver benefits to passengers. The Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan will set out plans for applying this policy franchise by franchise and will thus provide a firmer basis for business planning by the rail manufacturing industry.

Railway Industry

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what issues he will consider when exercising his powers under schedule 7 to the Railways Act 1993 in approving the transfer of Railtrack plc out of railway administration.

Stephen Byers: Schedule 7 to the Railways Act 1993 makes provision for a transfer scheme mechanism to be used for the transfer of the undertaking of a protected railway company which is the subject of a railway administration order.
	Paragraph 2(2) of schedule 7 provides that a scheme made under that schedule shall not take effect unless (in the case of the undertaking of Railtrack plc) it is approved by the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.
	I will consider carefully all of the terms of any proposed scheme submitted to me by Railtrack plc (acting by its administrators). However, in order to assist potential bidders for the undertaking of Railtrack plc this answer sets out, by way of guidelines, the principal issues upon which I will need to be satisfied before approving a proposed scheme. These guidelines may change from time to time (in which case I will publish the revised guidelines) and they are not intended to be exhaustive and are issued as guidance.
	Guidelines
	My principal objective, in determining whether or not to approve a proposed transfer scheme, is to ensure that the operation of the network will, after the proposed transfer, be undertaken efficiently, safely and economically.
	I also intend to ensure that I am satisfied on the following issues:
	1. Efficiency and Viability
	The technical expertise of the proposed transferee to operate, maintain, renew and enhance the railway network. This will include:
	presenting proposals for focused and effective management (particularly in relation to contract management and planning, and a willingness to facilitate enhancement by special purpose vehicles or alternative structures for financing enhancements and developments which separate enhancement and development risk from operation, maintenance and renewal), and
	demonstrating that employees with appropriate skills will be retained and, where applicable, recruited;
	A proper understanding of the projected liabilities of the transferee and the performance risks it faces;
	A proper understanding of Railtrack plc's network operating licence and a demonstrable intention and ability to comply with it;
	A proper understanding of the Government's strategic plans for the railway industry and a demonstrable commitment to them (including the 10-Year Plan and the SRA's Strategic Agenda);
	A coherent and cost-effective business plan for:
	ascertaining the condition of the network assets and life cycle cost minimisation;
	implementing output based contracts for maintenance and renewal;
	facilitating the successful implementation of special purpose vehicles (or equivalent arrangements) delivering large scale enhancements and renewals; and
	the maintenance of an assets register, including a description of process and timetable;
	Proposals for ascertaining the cost structure of the network business and the control systems to be implemented at both central and regional levels and how successful reporting mechanics are to be achieved;
	A cohesive, achievable and cost-effective strategy for dealing with those renewals and small enhancements that are not to be delivered by special purpose vehicles (or equivalents).
	2. Safety
	An ability to run the network safely, with a clearly defined safety policy;
	Evidence that the Heath and Safety Executive has confidence in the proposed transferee and that the relevant Safety Case will be in place immediately following the transfer.
	3. Key Relationships
	Proposals for creating, at regional level, relationships with railway passenger and freight service operators and other stakeholders;
	Evidence of support from employees and their representatives;
	Evidence of the confidence of relevant stakeholders in the industry, for instance railway passenger and freight service operators and suppliers of finance.
	4. Financial viability and value for money
	A demonstrated ability to finance the activities of the proposed transferee in a cost-effective manner (including its proposed treatment of existing and future, short and long term finance creditors, and a demonstration that it will have a sufficiently high, investment grade, credit rating to raise the necessary finance for its activities);
	A coherent plan for the treatment of existing trade and other creditors;
	A demonstration that its approach would ensure that effective maintenance and renewal takes place at the lowest practical cost.
	Proposals for the transfer of liabilities which relate to the operation, maintenance, renewal and development of the parts of the network that are to be transferred.
	In addition, and to achieve my overall objective, I will have regard to the extent and nature of Government support that will be required to operate the network after the proposed transfer and the value for money that this would represent for Government. I will expect any proposal for a transfer to address very clearly the basis, extent and nature of support that will be required from the Government.

Railway Industry

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what advice he has received on the strength of balance sheet needed by the new Railtrack company to obtain a BBB credit rating.

Stephen Byers: As I have stated in an answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Hendrick) on 23 October 2001, Official Report, columns 195–97W, it is my firm intention to ensure that our proposal to the administrator would, if accepted, result in the transfer of the business of the company and its finance creditor's indebtedness to a new, financially sound, vehicle and that the debt transferred will have a long-term credit rating of at least BBB/Baa2 and a short-term credit rating of at least A-2/P-2.
	In relation to the proposal that we will be putting to the administrator for a company limited by guarantee, we will be targeting a long-term credit rating of A/A2 or higher, to reflect the financing capacity requirements of the rail infrastructure business. I am advised that this would secure a robust balance sheet for the company.
	I can also reaffirm my firm intention that our proposal will, taken in the round, preserve the economic rights of the current finance creditors in all material respects. Such proposals must, however, retain the flexibility to translate some of the detailed terms and conditions of the debt into a form that reflects the different structure and credit rating of a company limited by guarantee.

Railway Industry

Terry Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how his Department will provide further financial assistance for Railtrack plc in administration.

Stephen Byers: Full details of the funding arrangements agreed with the administrators are in the loan agreement. Parliamentary approval for this new expenditure in the form of a voted loan (to be repaid when Railtrack plc moves out of administration) will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for DTLR. Pending that approval, and further to my answer of 17 October 2001 to my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Lawrie Quinn), Official Report, column 1230W, up to an additional £800 million of expenditure has been approved to be met by repayable cash advances from the Contingencies Fund.

Merseyside Rail Franchise

David Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Strategic Rail Authority will announce (a) the rail franchises for the north-west region of England and (b) its decision on whether Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive will let the Merseyside rail franchise alone or jointly with the Strategic Rail Authority.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority has reviewed its franchise replacement programme in light of the statement made by the Secretary of State on 16 July and will announce its plans for further replacement or extension of franchises when these are agreed with Ministers in due course.

Petrol Storage

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what conditions are attached to the licences for underground storage tanks to prevent and detect leakages; and how the proposed removal of licences will change this.

Alan Whitehead: Licences for underground petrol tanks have conditions attached which are intended to prevent and detect leaks. The conditions are based on guidance issued by HSE and the Local Authorities Co-ordinating body on Food and Trading Standards (LACOTS).
	HSC are to consult early next year on a proposal to remove licensing at all workplaces except retail petrol filling stations. All workplaces storing petrol, whether licensed or not, will be subject to the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) which will come into force in the summer of next year.
	DSEAR places comprehensive duties on employers to eliminate or reduce fire and explosion risks from dangerous substances including petrol. DSEAR will require measures to reduce risk of releases and the escape of petrol.
	Because of the close involvement of the public at retail petrol filling stations it is proposed to develop additional controls to supplement DSEAR, as a replacement for the current licensing regime. Until these are developed and consultation has taken place with stakeholders, licensing will remain in force at retail petrol filling stations.

Petrol Storage

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proposals he is implementing to encourage petrol retailers to report leakages.

Alan Whitehead: Repair of leakages is already one of the standard licence conditions imposed by Petroleum Licensing Authorities. Control of leakages will also be subject to the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) which will come into force in the summer of next year. HSE will be publicising the new regulations and associated guidance.

Petrol Storage

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many breaches of licensing conditions of underground storage tanks have (a) been reported and (b) resulted in prosecution in each of the past five years.

Alan Whitehead: HSE does not collect statistics on breaches of licence conditions and prosecutions by Petroleum Licensing Authorities (PLAs). The information would be disproportionately expensive to obtain retrospectively.
	New reporting arrangements are being developed in conjunction with PLAs so that this information can be obtained in the future.

Petrol Storage

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if his Department will carry out a full condition audit of all underground storage tanks in the United Kingdom.

Alan Whitehead: Neither HSE nor the Environment Agency has any plans to commission a full condition audit of all underground storage tanks. Safety and environmental legislation provide adequate safeguards to prevent and control leaks from underground storage tanks. The powers are available to conduct investigations where necessary.

Petrol Storage

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he plans to incorporate the recommendations of the Institute of Petroleum and the Association for Petrol and Explosive Administrators into its new Code of Practice relating to petrol retailers.

Alan Whitehead: The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has recently completed a public consultation on a groundwater protection code of practice for petrol stations and underground storage tanks for hydrocarbons. All responses to the consultation will be taken into account when finalising the code.
	HSE are carrying out a major review of petrol legislation with a view to modernising it. The review is being carried out in three phases which will look at:
	Phase 1: workplace storage of petrol except for retail petrol filling stations.
	Phase 2: retail petrol filling stations.
	Phase 3: non-workplace storage of petrol (mainly domestic premises).
	As part of phase 2 of the review HSE will consider all existing guidance, including that jointly produced by the Institute of Petroleum and the Association for Petrol and Explosive Administration, when making recommendations regarding the future of petroleum legislation for retail petrol filling stations.

Petrol Storage

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the report into modernising petrol legislation will be published.

Alan Whitehead: Although the licensing system under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 (PCA) has worked well for many years, it is now outdated and does not easily sit alongside the modern risk-based approach to health and safety. HSE are therefore carrying out a major review of the legislation with a view to modernising it. The review is being carried out in three phases which will look at:
	Phase 1: workplace storage of petrol except for retail petrol filling stations.
	Phase 2: retail petrol filling stations.
	Phase 3: non-workplace storage of petrol (mainly domestic premises).
	The HSC will publish consultative documents detailing its proposals for each of the three phases of the review of petroleum legislation. The consultative document for phase 1 will be published early next year but it is too early yet to give an indication of when the remaining two will be published.

Firefighters

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on firefighter numbers in South Yorkshire;
	(2)  what the average number of firefighters is per 10,000 population in (a) South Yorkshire, (b) the Metropolitan fire authorities and (c) England.

Alan Whitehead: Based on annual returns to HM Fire Service Inspectorate, actual firefighter numbers for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services as at 31 March 2001 were as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
		
		
			 Whole time 920 
			 Retained(1) 38.83 
		
	
	(1) Expressed as 24-hour units of cover
	Statutory responsibility for the provision of an efficient fire service, including maintenance of a firefighter establishment sufficient to meet national standards of fire cover, rests locally with the fire authority, in this case the South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority.
	According to the latest available information the number of firefighters, including retained firefighters in terms of units of 24 hour cover, per 10,000 population at 31 March 2001 was:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 South Yorkshire 7.4 
			 Metropolitan fire authorities 8.1 
			 England 8.4 
		
	
	Note:
	Firefighters numbers are provisional derived from annual returns to HM Fire Service Inspectorate. Population figures are taken from the 2000 mid-year estimates prepared by the Office for National Statistics

Council Tax Exemptions (Students)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how local authorities are compensated for properties exempted from council tax on the grounds that they consist of student households; and what his estimate is of (a) the numbers of such properties and (b) the council tax revenue lost in 2000–01 for each local authority in England.

Alan Whitehead: Local authorities receive an additional amount of revenue support grant to compensate them for properties exempted from the council tax because they consist of student households. Such properties are exempt from council tax because, unlike other people on low incomes, full-time students are not normally entitled to council tax benefit.
	We do not have information for 2000–01 on the number of such properties for each local authority in England. We are, however, collecting it for the current year. We estimate that around 120,000 properties in England qualify for the exemption in 2001–02, and that the council tax income forgone as a result is about £90 million.

London Underground (Line Closures)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many line closures there were of more than one day on each of the lines of the London Underground network since 1 January.

David Jamieson: None.
	London Underground have not closed any whole line on the underground network for a day or more in the period since 1 January 2001.

South East England Regional Assembly

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what changes in expenditure by the South East England Regional Assembly on (a) regional intelligence, (b) communications and (c) publications there have been for the 2001–02 financial year.

Alan Whitehead: These are matters for the South East England Regional Assembly.

South East England Regional Assembly

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to control expenditure by the South East England Regional Assembly.

Alan Whitehead: The South East England Regional Assembly has been established voluntarily by bodies representing the interests of the south-east region. Their expenditure is a matter for the chamber and its members. The Government have, however, allocated £500,000 this year to SEERA to help the Assembly to establish a stronger strategic and scrutiny role within the region. The Government Office for the South East will be monitoring that part of SEERA's expenditure which relates to the £500,000 grant.

Traffic (Cheltenham)

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of GCHQ's New Accommodation Project on traffic in Cheltenham; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Cheltenham borough council granted planning permission to GCHQ and Group 4/Tarmac on 10 August 1999 for the construction of new buildings and associated engineering operations to provide for the consolidation of GCHQ operations. The application was accompanied by a Traffic Assessment. This, together with the proposal that the development should be related to a Green Travel Plan, was taken into account by the then Secretary of State when the application came before him in August 1998 as a departure from the development plan. The Secretary of State was content to leave jurisdiction for the application with Cheltenham borough council.

Traffic (Cheltenham)

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy towards rerouting traffic away from the A40 through Cheltenham; and if he will make statement.

David Jamieson: In the Roads Review published in 1998 the Government announced their intention to detrunk the A40 through Cheltenham and Gloucester. When the A40 is detrunked it will be for Gloucestershire county council as the local transport authority to decide how it wishes to manage the traffic on the A40 through Cheltenham.

Replacement Rail Services (Arriva)

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Strategic Rail Authority about the replacement of rail services with bus services by Arriva; and if she will make a statement.

John Spellar: holding answer 30 October 2001
	The Strategic Rail Authority and the Passenger Transport Executives have agreed to the implementation of a mitigation plan. The Secretary of State has been kept informed and I understand that an amended timetable came into effect on 29 October and will run until 24 February 2002.

Pedestrian Deaths

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many (a) car occupants and (b) pedestrians were killed in car crashes since 1971, broken down into five-yearly intervals.

David Jamieson: holding answer 30 October 2001
	Figures for fatalities in Great Britain are as shown below:
	
		
			   Car occupants(2) Pedestrians hit by cars 
		
		
			 1971–75 14,291 — 
			 1976–80 12,237 — 
			 1981–85 10,989 6,353 
			 1986–90 10,633 6,163 
			 1991–95 6,288 4,508 
			 1996–2000 5,927 3,350 
		
	
	(2) Figures for 1971–79 inclusive include data for car and taxi occupants only. For 1980 to 1998 they include occupants of minibuses, three wheelers, invalid tricycles and motor caravans. The latter two categories are excluded from figures in 1999 and 2000.
	Note
	Figures for pedestrians hit by cars are not available for years prior to 1979.

Vehicles (Pedestrian Protection Standards)

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  if he will publish the Transport Research Laboratory's estimate of the comparative effects of the full mandatory pedestrian protection standards for cars and the voluntary approach;
	(2)  which EC directorate proposed the voluntary proposals for pedestrian protection standards for vehicles; and if he will publish the scientific basis and assessment of the consequences of the differences from the mandatory Working Group 19 proposals.

David Jamieson: holding answer 30 October 2001
	The proposals originated from DG Enterprise, who have been engaged in discussions with the vehicle manufacturers' representatives on this issue over the past year.
	The work by TRL assessing the benefits of the first phase of the negotiated agreement relative to the benefits of the full EEVC WG17 proposals (which would be delivered in the second phase) has been within a tight timescale, so any figures provided have been on an informal basis. Figures may evolve or be refined before they can be incorporated into an intermediate or final publishable report.
	Benefits of the first phase of the negotiated agreement relative to EEVC WG17:
	The initial work focused on a critique of the 80 per cent. relative benefit for killed and seriously injured pedestrians claimed by industry. Using what was believed to be similar assumptions, TRL arrived at relative benefits of 60 per cent. for fatals and 70 per cent. for seriously injured. We said, when we recently consulted on the Commission's proposal, that the benefits were being looked at afresh. This new approach uses databases from Europe, Japan and the USA and test and other data. This suggests that the relative benefit is around 25 per cent. for fatals and 60 per cent. for seriously injured.
	Absolute benefits:
	The benefit for the full EEVC proposals changes slightly to 10 per cent. fatals and 20 per cent. seriously injured compared with the values of 8 per cent. and 21 per cent. which we have traditionally used.
	TRL's work on this will be available in an interim report in early 2002.

Abandoned Cars

Barbara Follett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on abandoned cars.

Stephen Byers: Today we have published in a consultation document the Government's proposals to deal with the growing problem of abandoned cars. Copies of the document will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.
	Abandoned cars are an increasing eyesore on our streets and a real danger to children who are attracted to them as playgrounds. Too often they are also a target for local arsonists and also can be useful to criminals as a pool of cars that cannot be traced back to them. Our proposals published today aim to get abandoned cars off the streets, quickly and efficiently.
	The measures will give local councils increased powers to deal with these cars and get rid of the bureaucratic boundaries that make it easier for irresponsible people to abandon cars at will. They will also reduce the demands on the police and fire services who have to deal with the vandalism, arson and other crime resulting from, and facilitated by, abandoned cars.
	It is the Government's firm intention and belief that these measures will contribute to making our neighbourhoods better places in which to live.

Disabled Drivers

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will publish his review of the blue badge scheme for disabled drivers.

Sally Keeble: The review of the blue badge scheme is under way. A discussion paper is being prepared. We will announce the outcome of the full review, including any proposals for change, in due course. We will keep the House in touch with progress.

Merchant Navy (Cadets)

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans for cadet training within the Merchant Navy.

David Jamieson: Cadet training is a matter for the shipping industry itself. But the Government provide financial support for training under the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme. A company entering the UK tonnage tax has to meet a training commitment equivalent to one officer trainee per year for every 15 officer posts in its fleet. We believe these measures will increase cadet training.

Departmental Assets

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what stocks of (a) antiques, (b) paintings and (c) fine wines are held by his Department; if he will list such assets sold over the last three years together with the sale proceeds from such transactions; what plans he has to sell further such assets over the period of the current comprehensive spending review; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: There are no stocks of antiques, paintings or fine wines recorded in the relevant departmental chapter of the National Asset Register published in 2001 or in the 1997 version of the National Asset Register. Since there are none recorded, there are no plans to sell any such assets.

Planning Guidance

Lawrie Quinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when regional planning guidance for Yorkshire and the Humber will be published.

Sally Keeble: My right Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions is today publishing Regional Planning Guidance for Yorkshire and the Humber (RPG12).
	RPG12 provides the spatial development framework for the Yorkshire and Humber region. Its core objectives are to support sustainable economic growth and regeneration and to achieve urban and rural renaissance in the region. Development will be focused on the region's main towns and cities making best use of previously-developed land and helping to reduce the need to travel.
	The new Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, launched on 22 October, will be at the heart of the implementation of the strategy, working with the region's local authorities, Yorkshire Forward and other stakeholders.
	I am pleased that much of the format and content of RPG12, including the vision, objectives and core strategy, carries forward what was proposed in the original draft RPG prepared by the Regional Assembly. RPG12 reflects very effective working between the Assembly, local authorities and other stakeholders who have made valuable contributions to refine and enhance the original draft strategy. It builds on the new inclusive process for preparing RPG that the Government have put in place. Many of the comments received in response to the consultations carried out earlier this year were constructive suggestions and have been taken on board in finalising the guidance.
	The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly will now take the strategy forward and work with partners to ensure its effective implementation, monitoring and review.

Building Regulations

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will publish guidance on amendments to Part L of the Building Regulations, which deals with energy efficiency, to Part H of the Building Regulations, which deals with drainage and solid waste, and to Part J of the Building Regulations, which deals with combustion appliances; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: The 2002 editions of the Approved Documents which give guidance on ways of meeting the new requirements of Part L1, Conservation of fuel and power in dwellings, Part L2, Conservation of fuel and power in buildings other than dwellings, Part H, Drainage and waste disposal, and Part J, Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems, as introduced by the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2001, SI 2001/3335, were published today by The Stationery Office.
	The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2001, SI 2001/3335 and the Building (Approved Inspectors etc) (Amendment) Regulations 2001, SI 2001/3336 were laid before the House on 11 October 2001. The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2001 made changes to the technical requirements with regard to Part L, Conservation of fuel and power, Part H, Drainage and waste disposal, and Part J, Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems in the Building Regulations 2000, SI 2000/2531. Both sets of Regulations also made some consequential administrative changes to both the Building Regulations 2000, SI 2000/2531 and to the Building (Approved Inspectors etc) Regulations 2000, SI 2000/2532. Both sets of Regulations will come into force on 1 April 2002.
	Taken together, these new regulations and their supporting Approved Documents introduce a package of measures that will bring a number of environmental, safety and economic benefits.
	The review of Part L has been a noteworthy example of the good relations the Government wish to forge with industry and others with interests in our energy policy and the development of proportionate regulations. The performance standards in the new Approved Documents L1 and L2 are significantly higher than those introduced in 1995 and will set most builders and building services engineers something of a challenge. However the close contact with industry has ensured that the new standards can be achieved by adopting reasonable standards of design and construction practice. They will yield substantial benefits for the occupiers of new dwellings and other buildings through lower heating bills (up to 25 per cent. in the case of dwellings), lower air conditioning bills and/or improved comfort and productivity, and for the nation in the avoidance of carbon emissions. It is estimated that these measures will contribute 1.4 MtC in 2010 of the overall 23 per cent. cut in the UK's greenhouse gas emissions that we set out in our Climate Change Programme published last November, and of course those savings will continue to accumulate thereafter.
	On 5 March 2001 I announced the package of amendments that were to be made to Part L following consultation. As industry requested, the material has been split into two Approved Documents, L1 for dwellings and L2 for other buildings. The guidance in the new Approved Documents raises the performance standards for building insulation, introduces new ones for airtightness and solar shading, widens the standards for heating to include boiler performance, widens the lighting standards to include luminaires and display lights, and introduces new ones for air conditioning systems including their controls. To back these physical measures up there are new requirements for testing and commissioning that will help to make designers' intended performance capabilities a reality, and the provision of users' manuals and log books so that occupiers can obtain all of the potential benefits.
	To back up the guidance in these Approved Documents we have also published today "Limiting thermal bridging and air leakage: Robust construction details for dwellings and similar buildings". This document was prepared in collaboration with industry and provides construction details which are a way of showing compliance with the new standards for thermal insulation and airtightness.
	Part L now also addresses summer performance as well as insulation against winter cold and heating and hot water systems. There are new building fabric provisions aimed at limiting solar overheating, and new air conditioning and mechanical ventilation measures aiming to ensure that, when specified, they can perform efficiently.
	These new provisions are not restricted to new buildings. Around half of the carbon benefits mentioned will come from the application of the new requirements for work in existing buildings. For dwellings, we have introduced provisions that apply whenever new windows and glazed doors, boilers and hot water vessels are to be replaced. For buildings other than dwellings the same provisions apply for windows and all the building systems addressed by Part L, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting, are also included. These provisions are qualified however, in that reasonable provision depends on the circumstances in the particular case. Sympathetic treatment of historic buildings is necessary for instance to enable conservation and restoration and new guidance in both the Approved Documents will help to establish what reasonable provision is in these special cases.
	The review of Part J has addressed the increasing risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, the ill-health effects of flue-gas entering living space, and the risks of injuries caused by fires, and also to address for the first time the oil pollution threat from domestic central heating oil storage systems.
	The outcome of investigations into possible additional risks posed by lower specification concrete flue liners was announced in November 2000. These investigations found no certain evidence of additional risk but made a series of recommendations. The amendments to Part J and the publication of the 2002 edition of Approved Document J complete our response to these. They incorporate a new requirement (J4) to fix permanent notices indicating hearth, fireplace and chimney performance limits, and the Approved Document gives examples of what are satisfactory provisions using the new European Method for specifying performance of all types of flue liners.
	A new requirement J5 makes provisions for reasonable steps to be taken to ensure that when external liquid fuel storage (oil and liquefied petroleum gas) systems are provided they are protected from fire in adjacent buildings or premises.
	The new requirement J6 makes provision for oil storage tanks and connecting pipework serving buildings used wholly or mainly as private dwellings to be constructed and protected to reduce the level of risk of oil escaping and causing pollution. This new requirement also makes provisions for notices which give information on how to respond to an oil escape to be fixed in a prominent position.
	The publication of a consultation on amendments to Part H of the Building Regulations was announced in July 2000. The outcome of that review is reflected in the amendments to Part H of the Building Regulations and in the 2002 edition of the Approved Document.
	The new requirement H4 applies when building work takes place over sewers. This has enabled the repeal of Section 18 (building over sewer etc) of the Building Act 1984. Provision of foul drainage is now required by the Regulations, and this has enabled the repeal of Section 21(1) and (2) of the Act. These changes bring necessary requirements all together into the Regulations, and should simplify matters for practitioners.
	The new requirement H2 includes the provision of a durable notice giving information on necessary continuing maintenance for septic tanks, wastewater treatment systems and cesspools. Lack of maintenance is one of the main causes of failure of septic tanks and other non-mains drainage systems, and this new requirement seeks to address this. There is also improved guidance on drainage fields from septic tanks.
	Guidance in the Approved Document includes guidance on the use of infiltration drainage systems and a presumption that this method of drainage is the preferred option for rainwater disposal rather than storm sewers. This will ease the load on storm sewers and may reduce the risk of flooding due to run off from new development.
	Guidance in the Approved Document recommends that drains serving more than 10 properties should have a minimum diameter of 150 mm. This should help to reduce the incidence of private sewers and drains.
	Copies of "Limiting thermal bridging and air leakage: Robust construction details for dwellings and similar buildings" have also been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared in relation to these Regulations and it too was published today. It has also been placed on the DTLR website at (http://www.safety.dtlr.gov.uk/bregs/brpub/02.htm).

European Railways (Interoperability)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 192W, what practical changes will be required in the UK rail network as a result of Directive 2001/16/EC.

David Jamieson: The Directive requires that all projects relating to the construction, upgrading, renewal and operation of the trans-European conventional rail system conform to European Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs). This system includes all the main rail lines in the UK. These TSIs will set out the detailed technical requirements that must be met, at both component and overall system levels.
	They do not yet exist and the drafting process has only recently begun, so it is not possible at this stage to state what practical changes will be necessary to the UK rail network.

Cleaner Vehicles

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what guidance he has given to car manufacturers on the future for LPG cars;
	(2)  what recent assessment he has made of the potential for LPG cars to improve air quality;
	(3)  what plans the Government have to encourage manufacturers to make LPG cars.

David Jamieson: The changes I announced recently to my Department's PowerShift programme, following consultation with vehicle manufacturers, fuel suppliers and others, indicate the Government's strong continuing commitment to supporting the wider introduction of vehicles running on LPG, natural gas and electricity, reflecting their contribution to improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
	Availability of production-line LPG vehicles will help consumers to take up the gas option, and the Government have introduced an additional 20 per cent. grant for production-line LPG vehicles. I am pleased that several manufacturers are already introducing such vehicles.
	The PowerShift programme monitors the environmental performance of LPG vehicles to ensure that PowerShift- approved vehicles and conversions deliver consistently clean performance.

Speed Restrictions

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to issue revised guidance on factors affecting the imposition of speed restrictions on roads.

David Jamieson: The Road Safety Strategy committed us to an assessment framework for determining the appropriates speeds for roads and a simplified method of making speed limit orders.

Starter Home Initiative

Sydney Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reason teachers in further education are not eligible for the Starter Home Initiative.

Sally Keeble: The Starter Home Initiative assistance available for teachers is being targeted on the compulsory education sector where the most severe recruitment and retention problems for teachers, which the Initiative aims to help alleviate, are being experienced.
	We recognise that other key workers, including teachers in further education, need to be able to find affordable homes within a reasonable distance of their workplace. Our wider housing policies to increase the supply of affordable homes, particularly in areas where demand is high, will benefit other groups of key workers. By 2003–04 capital investment in housing will have risen to more than £4 billion compared with planned spending of £1.5 billion in 1997–98. We plan to provide 100,000 new or improved homes for low cost renting or home ownership over the next three years.
	We are also looking afresh at planning guidance as a means of providing more opportunities for key worker housing.

National Air Traffic Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the financial position of National Air Traffic Services; and if it is seeking new public finance.

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he has received an application for additional funding from the National Air Traffic Services; and what effect additional funding would have on the proposed National Air Traffic Control Centre at Prestwick.

David Jamieson: National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is in the process of reviewing its financial position, following the downturn in the demand for air travel arising from the events of 11 September.
	The Government have received no request for financial assistance for NATS.

Port of London Authority

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what application he has received from the Port of London Authority under section 14 of the Harbours Act 1964 concerning (a) changes to the Act and (b) proposals for a statutory instrument; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Port of London Authority (PLA) applied in February this year for a Harbour Revision Order under section 14 of the Harbours Act 1964. The order contains a number of provisions for amending existing legislation, mainly relating to the licensing and registration scheme for craft and boats for hire. Following advertisement of the order the PLA are currently engaged in discussions with relevant parties in an attempt to resolve objections that have been made to the order.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will estimate the number of trucks of food which have been transported into Afghanistan (a) in the last week, (b) on average on a daily basis since 7 October and (c) since 11 September.

Clare Short: In the week ending 28 October, which is the latest information received from WFP in the field, a total of 8,048 tonnes of food were dispatched to Afghanistan. The table shows the daily breakdown.
	On information received to date the daily average food despatch between 7 and 28 October has been 771 tonnes.
	
		Table of food aid dispatched to Afghanistan
		
			 Week ending 28 October 2001 Tonnes despatched 
		
		
			 22 October 2001 104 
			 23 October 2001 1,857 
			 24 October 2001 2,729 
			 25 October 2001 946 
			 26 October 2001 1,469 
			 27 October 2001 0 
			 28 October 2001 943 
			  
			 Total 8,048 
		
	
	Note:
	Data from WFP, 29 October. Further confirmed data not yet available from the field.

Papua New Guinea

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid projects in Papua New Guinea are supported by her Department (a) bilaterally, (b) from EU sources and (c) multilaterally; what is their value for each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: We do not provide direct bilateral assistance to Papua New Guinea, but it benefits from our contributions to multilateral agencies, including the European Union, Asian Development bank and World bank, all of which have substantial programmes in PNG totalling some £8 million per year. PNG also benefits from the UK's support to Pacific regional organisations and a small gifts scheme of some £70,000 per year. The details we have available are as follows:
	European Union Programme
	PNG benefits from:
	(i) the current National Indicative Programme (50 meuro) which focuses on education, forestry and fishers. Projects comprise:
	(a) the Regional Indicative Programme on agriculture (phase 1) which has now been completed (1.2 meuro);
	(b) the Island Region Environment programme (phase 1) which has also been completed (6 meuro):
	(c) budgetary support which is provided through the Structural Adjustment Programme (10.4 meuro).
	(ii) SYSMIN (50 meuro) which is providing support for highways, mining, roads and bridge construction.
	(iii) STABEX (12 meuro).
	World bank
	1. The current programme comprises:
	(a) the last tranche of the Structural Adjustment Operation (totalling 90 million dollars) which is due in December 2001;
	(b) projects in education ($30 million); health ($20 million) and infrastructure ($32 million);
	(c) technical assistance forming, gas and agriculture (oil palm).
	2. The World bank's indicative lending programme for PNG currently totals $210 million.
	
		($) 
		
			   Of which:  
			 Asian development bank Total value OCR(3) ADF(4) TA(5) 
		
		
			 1997 
			 Health Sector Development Programme 50 million 45 million 5 million — 
			 Health Sector Development Project(6) 13 million — 10 million — 
			 Improving Provincial Agricultural Support Services(7) 150,000 — — 150,000 
			 Financial Management(7) 150,000 — — 150,000 
			 Development Strategy Workshop 62,000 — — 62,000 
			 Strengthening Financial Management of the Health Sector 600,000 — — 600,000 
			 Restructuring Plan for the Department of Agriculture and Livestock 150,000 — — 150,000 
			 1998 
			 Smallholder Support Services Pilot Project(6) 11.49 million 7.6 million — — 
			 Fisheries Development(6) 9.3 million 6.5 million — — 
			 Financial Management (Supplementary)(7) 72,500 — — 72,500 
			 Skills Development(7) 500,000 — — 500,000 
			 Social and Environmental Studies(7) 150,000 — — 150,000 
			 Road Upgrading and Maintenance(7) 750,000 — — 750,000 
			 Road Asset Management System 1.0 million — — 1.0 million 
			 Review of Foreign Aid Management 115,000 — — 115,000 
			 Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council 50,000 — — 50,000 
			 1999 
			 Financial Management(6) 46.9 25.8 — — 
			 Employment-Oriented Skills Development(6) 39 million — 20 million — 
			 Road Maintenance and Upgrading(6) 114.7 million 63 million — — 
			 Rehabilitation of Navigation Aids system(7) 500,000 — — 500,000 
			 Provincial Towns Water Supply and Sanitation(7) 908,000 — — 908,000 
			 Governance and Public Sector Reform Programme(7) 600,000 — — 600,000 
			 Microfinance and Employment(7) 150,000 — — 150,000 
			 Road Sector Cost Recovery Improvement 350,000 — — 350,000 
			 Financial Management Strategic Framework 500,000 — — 500,000 
			 Provincial Road Asset Management System 581,000 — — 581,000 
			 2000 
			 Rehabilitation of Maritime Navigation Aids System(6) 30.12 million 20.6 million — — 
			 Microfinance and Employment(6) 20.51 million — 9.6 million — 
			 Provincial Towns Water Supply and Sanitation(6) 23.3 million — 15.34 million — 
			 Governance and Public Sector Reform Programme (Supplementary)(7) 381,000 — — 381,000 
			 Agro-Industry Development(7) 500,000 — — 500,000 
			 Coastal Fisheries Management and Development(7) 340,000 — — 340,000 
			 Community Water Transport Project(7) 580,000 — — 580,000 
			 Strengthening Financial Management of the Health Sector (Supplementary) 186,000 — — 186,000 
			 Review of Mining and Hydrocarbons Tax Regimes 325,000 — — 3250,000 
			 Review to Constraints to Informal Sector Development 225,000 — — 225,000 
			 Rehabilitation of Maritime Navigation Aids System 800,000 — — 800,000 
		
	
	(3) Ordinary Capital Resources
	(4) Asian Development Fund
	(5) Technical Assistance
	(6) Project Preparatory TA
	(7) Total project cost includes financing by the ADB, governments, borrowers, beneficiaries, sub-borrowers; co-financing from official, export credit, and commercial sources; equity sponsors; and local participating private companies and financial institutions.

The Gambia

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department gave to the Independent Electoral Commission in The Gambia (a) prior to and (b) during the presidential election held on 18 October.

Clare Short: Since 1999 we have provided support to the Independent Electoral Commission to develop and upgrade its electoral records database. In the run up to the presidential elections we provided consultancy support and various items of equipment in support of the voter re-registration exercise.
	During the elections themselves we contributed to the costs of international observers to monitor the election process.

The Gambia

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance she will give to the Independent Electoral Commission in The Gambia prior to its 2002 parliamentary elections.

Clare Short: The support we have already provided to the Independent Electoral Commission prior to the presidential elections, particularly on voter re-registration, will also be relevant to the Parliamentary Assembly elections in 2002. We have not yet had discussions with the IEC about any additional requirements for the Assembly elections, but when we do so we will take into account possible support from other donors and experience in the presidential elections.

The Gambia

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will review her programme of assistance to The Gambia following the presidential election held on 18 October.

Clare Short: Over the past year our assistance to The Gambia has been concentrated on facilitating the electoral process, and on the implementation of the poverty reduction strategy. The future of the programme will depend on our overall assessment of The Gambian Government's commitment to poverty reduction, democracy and human rights. We will review the programme early in 2002.

China

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will increase funds for her Department's HIV/AIDS programme in China.

Clare Short: We are financing a £15.3 million HIV/AIDS prevention and care project in China, which aims over five years to help the Government of China develop an effective national response to HIV/AIDS. We are also working with the Government of China to design specific support for the delivery of HIV/AIDS education to young people, where funding is likely to be in the region of £5 million over three years.
	The Government of China recently launched their first five year action plan to contain, prevent and control HIV/AIDS. We are currently considering what further support we can offer the Government in helping them achieve this plan.

Departmental Assets

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what stocks of (a) antiques, (b) paintings and (c) fine wines are held by her Department; if she will list such assets sold over the last three years together with the sale proceeds from such transactions; what plans she has to sell further such assets over the period of the current comprehensive spending review; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: My Department has seven antiques (clocks) but no paintings (the only paintings we have are on loan from the Government Art Collection) and no fine wines. No such assets have been sold in the last three years, and there are no plans to sell these items.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Clare Short: The needs of the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo are desperate. Some progress on the peace process and a gradual improvement in access for humanitarian agencies has enabled my Department substantially to increase the level of our support for humanitarian work through well-established non-governmental organisations.
	We have contributed funding towards direct humanitarian assistance particularly in the areas of health and nutrition, water and sanitation, prisoner protection, and assistance to refugees, child soldiers and other vulnerable groups. We have also funded human rights projects in the DRC and in the wider Great Lakes region. Since January 2001 we have committed £5.5 million to the ICRC's emergency appeal.
	The Government are also working to promote an end to the country's conflict and a secure and lasting peace. We are providing support to the peace process through the office of the Facilitator for the National Dialogue had peace-building projects, and we are actively exploring opportunities to support the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of combatants in the country.

Sustainable Development Summit

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department plans to achieve at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: The latest version of the inter- departmentally agreed HMG objectives for WSSD is available on the Government's Sustainable Development website www.sustainable-development/gov/uk. In support of this strategy DFID will work to highlight the way more effective use of environmental resources can contribute to poverty reduction; and gaining wider international acceptance of the principles of strategic planning for sustainable development, which have already been agreed at ministerial level in the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD.

Argentina

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to her Argentinean counterparts regarding the imprisonment of a group of Argentinean farmers who grew British hemp seed certified for industrial purposes only; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: None.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Assets

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what stocks of (a) antiques, (b) paintings and (c) fine wines are held by her Department; if she will list such assets sold over the last three years together with the sale proceeds from such transactions; what plans she has to sell further such assets over the period of the current comprehensive spending review; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Liddell: My Department holds no stocks of antiques, paintings or fine wines. No such assets have been sold in the last three years and we have no plans for any future sales.
	Details of assets held by the Scotland Office are set out in the National Assets Register (Cm 5521, July 2001).

CABINET OFFICE

Better Regulation Task Force

Charlotte Atkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress the better regulation task force is making in relation to speeding up decisions required by existing environmental regulations and diminishing their burden on business.

Christopher Leslie: The task force looked at environmental regulations last November, when it reported on their impact on farmers.
	As with all its reports, the task force follows closely the Government's progress in implementing its recommendations and publishes updates on its website.

Special Advisers

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish new guidelines on the employment of special advisers.

Barbara Roche: I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lichfield (Mr. Fabricant) at column 866.

Special Advisers

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will take steps to reduce the number of special advisers employed by Her Majesty's Government.

Barbara Roche: The rules on the appointment of special advisers continue to be as set out in paragraph 50 of the Ministerial Code.

Emergency Planning

Andrew Miller: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his Department's co-ordination role in emergency planning.

Gillian Merron: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his Department's role is in emergency planning.

Christopher Leslie: I refer my hon. Friends to my oral answer to the hon. Member the Member for Romsey (Sandra Gidley) today at column 863–64.

Emergency Planning

Joan Walley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the progress made in the work undertaken by the Civil Contingencies Secretariat.

Christopher Leslie: Led by the Civil Contingencies Committee, the Secretariat is co-ordinating a review of our tried and tested contingency plans in the light of the events of 11 September. We are taking all sensible steps to make sure the country is well prepared for any emergency or threat, including chemical and biological ones.

Regulatory Reform

Peter Pike: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if his Department proposes to publish a regular progress list on items being considered under the regulatory reform procedure.

Christopher Leslie: The Government set out last week their plans for regulatory reform order-making for the period up to the new year in the memorandum responding to the Deregulation Committee's 4th Report of last session.

Government Office for the North-West

Helen Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the operational priorities for the Government office for the north-west.

Barbara Roche: The Government office for the north-west's overall aim is to work with regional partners and local people to maximise competitiveness and prosperity in the region, and to support integrated policies for an inclusive society. A complete list of their objectives are contained in the Government office for the north-west's document 'Corporate Objectives 2001–02', a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

Departmental Co-ordination

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to improve co-ordination between Government Departments, the Prime Minister's office and his Department.

John Prescott: It has been the traditional role of the Cabinet Office to serve Ministers collectively under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister and co-ordinate business between Departments. This continues to be the case. The creation of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the restructuring of the Cabinet Office after the election have strengthened our ability to help ensure that all Departments are able to deliver the Government's key priorities.

Kyoto Protocol

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Office what role his office is playing in promoting the implementation of the Kyoto protocol.

John Prescott: I continue to play a role in international climate change discussions and negotiations on behalf of the Prime Minister, which includes promoting the implementation of the Kyoto protocol.

British-Irish Council

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Office when the British-Irish Council last met; and what was on the agenda for that meeting.

John Prescott: The British-Irish Council meets in different formats. Since the first summit meeting held in London in December 1999, a number of meetings have taken place in different sectoral areas at ministerial and official level.
	The most recent meeting of the Council took place in Dublin on 13 September last. Officials discussed the issue of misuse of drugs, the area of work for which Ireland is the lead Administration within the Council.
	The Irish Government will host the next British-Irish Council summit. The drugs issue will be the main item for discussion at the Summit. Progress in the other areas of work of the Council will also be reviewed. The Government also look forward to further meetings taking place in the agreed areas of work.

Government Office for the East Midlands

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what are the operational priorities for the Government office for the east midlands.

Barbara Roche: The Government office for the east midlands has three strategic aims: to achieve a lasting better quality of life for people and communities in the east midlands socially, economically and environmentally; to encourage and enable people and communities suffering from, or vulnerable to, social exclusion to fulfil their potential; and to help the region, its people and its businesses continuously improve their capability to compete successfully. Details of these aims and other operational priorities are in the Government office for the east midlands annual report 2000–01, available on line through their website.

Government Office for the East of England

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he last met representatives of the east Anglia Government office; and if will make a statement.

Barbara Roche: The Deputy Prime Minister last met GO-East officials on 13 March. Since then I have met them on 19 July and 18 October.

Modernising Government White Paper

Brian White: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made in achieving the Government targets as set out in the modernising Government White Paper.

Christopher Leslie: The Government made significant progress towards the targets set out in the White Paper before the last election. Improved delivery and public service reform is a key priority for this Parliament.

Civil Service Pay

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to audit civil service pay to assess the impact of pay policy on (a) men and (b) women.

Christopher Leslie: Under civil service reform, Departments and agencies are reviewing their pay systems. By April 2003 they should have prepared an action plan for addressing any equal pay gaps.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Regional Development Agencies

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in implementing Recommendation 17 of the report, Strategy Development and Partnership Working in the RDAs.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 29 October 2001
	The RDAs have taken on board Recommendation 17 of the DETR report on Strategy Development and Partnership Working in the RDAs. The principles for successful partnership working used in the original development of the Regional Economic Strategies are now reflected in the preparation of RDA Action Plans and the revision of their RESs. Under a new fund worth £15 million over three years, the regional chambers have been awarded a total of £5 million in 2000–01 to enhance their RDA scrutiny role and thus strengthen regional accountability. Part of that scrutiny will be a closer involvement in the revision of strategy process.

Regional Development Agencies

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the report "Reaching Out The Role of Central Government at Regional and Local Level" that there should be (a) a review of the regional development agencies' first year performance and (b) a review of the relationship between the strategies of the regional development agencies and regional planning guidance.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 29 October 2001
	Ministers took the RDA's first year performance into account in determining the framework of targets the RDAs should follow under the Single Programme Budget, which was announced on 9 March 2001. The RDAs' Regional Strategies and the Regional Planning Guidance are being treated as equal and complementary documents.

Computer Crime

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases of computer (a) hacking, (b) fraud and (c) theft her Department has recorded in 2000 and 2001; and on how many occasions in 2000 and 2001 computer systems in her Department have been illegally accessed by computer hackers (i) within and (ii) outside her Department.

Patricia Hewitt: Records of IT security incidents reported within my Department for the period in question show:
	
		
			  2000 2001 
		
		
			 Hacking incidents 0 0 
			 Fraud 0 0 
			 Theft 11 16 
		
	
	There have been no recorded incidents in 2000 or 2001 of my Department's computer systems being illegally accessed by computer hackers within or outside my Department.

Petrol Retailers

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many petrol retailers (a) are in operation and (b) have been closed and sealed since 1990, classed in the categories (i) oil company sites, (ii) main retailer sites, (iii) supermarket sites, (iv) smaller retailer sites and (v) other unbranded sites; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: The Institute of Petroleum's (IP) annual "UK Retail Marketing Survey" (last published in March 2001) provides data on the total number of petrol retail outlets in operation in the UK.
	The following table, using the IP data, shows the number of petrol retail outlets in operation in the UK in 1990 and 2000, broken down by the specific categories outlined in the question.
	
		
			 Site category 1990 2000 
		
		
			 Oil company sites 16,044 8,420 
			 Main retailer sites 2,819 2,483 
			 Supermarket sites(8) 58 1,027 
			 Smaller retail sites(9) 40 247 
			 Other unbranded sites 504 866 
			  
			 Total 19,465 13,043 
		
	
	(8) In 1990, some supermarket sites displayed oil company brands and the IP subsumed these sites within the oil company site and main retailer site totals. The total number of supermarket sites retailing petrol in 1990 was 294
	(9) The smaller retail site category accounts for those companies with 50 petrol retail sites or less
	Data on petrol station sites that have been sealed after closure are not collated centrally.

Post Office Card Accounts

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government's target is for the number of Post Office Card Accounts to be operational in (a) 2003 and (b) 2006; and what the estimated cost is to the Government of those accounts.

Patricia Hewitt: Targets for Post Office Card Account (POCA) will be developed within the context of a migration and marketing strategy which is in the process of being developed. On the cost of the POCA, it would not be appropriate to disclose current estimates as this is subject to commercial negotiations between Consignia and the Paying Departments and between Consignia and the potential supplier of the banking engine.

Microsoft Pricing Policies

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking in response to industry representations on Microsoft pricing policies.

Melanie Johnson: Under UK competition law the Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for investigating allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and possible abuses of a dominant position. He can act where pricing levels appear to be the result of anti- competitive behaviour but has no powers to act in relation to prices as such.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has advised IT industry representative bodies that if they have evidence of anti-competitive behaviour by Microsoft they should forward it to the Director General of Fair Trading.

A380 Airbus

David Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the impact on competitiveness of British aerospace subcontractors of bidding for elements of the A380 Airbus project against European suppliers whose non-recoverable up-front costs are supported by their Governments' development assistance;
	(2)  what information she has collated on which of the countries engaged in the A380 Airbus project have divided Government financial assistance for project development between the prime contractor and subcontractors in the supply chain; and what the proportion is in each case;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of the impact on the British aerospace industry of the decision (a) to provide assistance in connection with the development of the A380 Airbus project to the prime contractor Airbus Industries UK and (b) not to provide assistance to both the prime contractor and subcontractors in the supply chain.

Brian Wilson: The Government will provide £530 million of Launch Investment to Airbus UK for the Airbus A380 super jumbo project. The project will create and safeguard jobs in both Airbus UK and the supply chain. As in the case of our agreement with Airbus UK, details of agreements between other governments and their industries are commercially confidential.
	The support provided to the prime contractor such as Airbus UK benefits the whole of the supply chain by securing strategically important projects for the UK. This has been the experience of past Launch Investment contracts.
	The DTI continues to sponsor a programme of activities, operated by the Society of British Aerospace Companies, aimed at improving the competitiveness of the UK aerospace industry. This has had a beneficial effect on the industry as a whole and has contributed to the UK supply chain being in a strong position to compete globally.

Limited Liability Partnerships

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many partnerships have (a) applied for and (b) been granted limited liability status; and whether such partnerships are required to make a disclosure of regulatory, disciplinary or legal actions they are defending.

Melanie Johnson: 948 limited liability partnerships (LLPs) had been successfully registered with Companies House as of 29 October 2001. 16 refunds have been given to unsuccessful applicants. LLPs, like companies, are not required to make any disclosure of regulatory, disciplinary or legal actions that they may be defending.

Arms Exports

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on the export of cluster bombs; how many licences for the export of cluster bombs are in force; and to which countries.

Nigel Griffiths: All licence applications covering the export of cluster bombs are considered on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria.
	The export of cluster bombs is controlled under entries ML3 and ML4 in Part 3 of Schedule 1 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 as amended. Other bombs and munitions are also controlled under these entries. It would entail disproportionate cost to examine the records to establish which, if any, of the licences still in force cover the export of cluster bombs.

Arms Exports

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the value and country of destination of exports under the military list in categories (a) ML4a (b) P5030, (c) ML7, (d) ML7d, (e) ML7e and (f) ML7f from 1997 to 2000 inclusive.

Nigel Griffiths: It would entail disproportionate cost to establish the value and country of destination of exports controlled under entries ML4a, P5030, ML7, ML7d, ML7e and ML7f in Part 3 of Schedule 1 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 as amended; from 2 May 1997 to 31 December 2000.

Legal Profession

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on progress with the OFT report on the legal profession.

Melanie Johnson: In the budget debate on 8 March 2001, my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced the Government's response to the OFT report, "Competition in Professions", published on 7 March 2001.
	The Government agreed with the recommendation that Schedule 4 to the Competition Act 1998 should be repealed and that the professions should be fully subject to competition law. The Government also announced that they would consult on those areas of the report that fell to them to take forward.
	The Government remain committed to ensuring that the professions are properly subject to competition.

Inward Investment

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of trends in foreign direct investment in Scotland, Wales and the English regions in the last 12 months.

Nigel Griffiths: The figures are based on information provided by companies at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest in the UK. They are based on the companies' best estimate, at that time, of the number of jobs to be created/safeguarded by the investment in its first three years.
	There is no requirement to notify inward investment decisions and so the figures include only those projects where Invest UK and its regional partners were involved or which have come to their notice.
	On 12 July Invest UK announced at its Annual Review another record year for attracting inward investment projects into the UK. Between 1 April 2000 and 21 March 2001, Invest UK recorded 869 inward investment decisions to locate in the UK by foreign owned companies (an increase of 15 per cent. on the previous year) over the next three years.
	
		
			 2000–01 Scotland Wales English Region 
		
		
			 Number of projects 72 39 639 
			 Number of new jobs 9,274 4,520 52,812 
			 Number of safeguarded jobs 4,231 1,833 45,318 
			 Total of associated jobs 13,505 6,353 97,130 
		
	
	Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 25 September showed that at the end of the second quarter of 2001 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock in the UK had risen to £389.5 billion—up 32 per cent. compared with a year earlier.
	There are signs of a decrease in the total number of new inward investment inquiries. We are monitoring the position and working hard to maximise the level of inward investment.

Inward Investment

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the levels of inward investment in the UK.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 30 October 2001
	The figures included are based on information provided by companies at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest in the UK. They are based on the companies' best estimate, at that time, of the number of jobs to be created/safeguarded by the investment in its first three years.
	There is no requirement to notify inward investment decisions and so the figures include only those projects where Invest UK and its regional partners were involved or which have come to their notice.
	On 12 July Invest UK announced at its Annual Review another record year for attracting inward investment projects to the UK. Between 1 April 2000 and 21 March 2001, Invest UK recorded 869 inward investment decisions to locate in the UK by foreign owned companies (an increase of 15 per cent. on the previous year) over the next three years.
	Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 25 September showed that at the end of the second quarter of 2001 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock in the UK had risen to £389.5 billion—up 32 per cent. compared with a year earlier.
	There are signs of a decrease in the total number of new inward investment inquiries. We are monitoring the position and working hard to maximise the level of inward investment.

Inward Investment

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what measures she is taking to ensure that the UK remains attractive to foreign investment;
	(2)  what recent steps she has taken to promote investment in the UK from abroad.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 30 October 2001
	Posts overseas have intense contacts with potential inward investors. Invest UK as the Government agency that promotes the whole of the UK as the best inward investment location in Europe is working in partnership with all UK Development Agencies to maximise the level of inward investment.
	The Government are encouraging all Development Agencies to build on their strengths and on existing clusters in their regions to attract further inward investment. They are also increasingly collaborating with each other, on overseas promotional activities, to increase their attractiveness to investors.
	Over the last two months Invest UK has been involved in the following events to promote the UK abroad.
	The signing of UK China Partnership: September
	Korean Hitech Forum in Bristol: 10–11 September
	Biotechnia Trade Fair Hanover: 9–11 October
	Greater Phoenix Electronics Show: 10–11 October
	Inward Mission from China: Week of 24 September
	IT Seminar Iceland: 25 October
	UK with New York events including business lunches: 22–26 October
	IT.Com Fair Bangalore, India: Week beginning 29 October.
	The Government are continuing to pursue economic policies which enhance the UK's attractions including developing our skills base, providing flexible labour markets and a stable economy.

Inward Investment

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will provide an estimate of foreign direct investment for each region of the United Kingdom for each year since 1997, and the forecast for each region for 2001.

Nigel Griffiths: The figures in the table are based on information provided by companies at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest in the UK. They are based on the companies' best estimate, at that time, of the number of jobs to be created/safeguarded by the investment in its first three years.
	There is no requirement to notify inward investment decisions and so the figures include only those projects where Invest UK and its regional partners were involved or which have come to their notice.
	Figures for 2001–02 are still being collected and will be available in July 2002 when Invest UK announces its annual results.
	
		
			 From 1 April to 31 March Number of projects Total new jobs Total safe jobs Total associated jobs 
		
		
			 1997–98 
			 East 34 945 17,744 18,689 
			 East Midlands 18 1,689 758 2,444 
			 London 63 2,948 444 3,392 
			 North East 48 2,764 9,890 12,654 
			 Northern Ireland 24 3,357 2,416 5,773 
			 North West 71 4,944 7,277 12,221 
			 Scotland 75 7,688 4,869 12,557 
			 South East 57 5,534 7,482 13,016 
			 Wales 55 4,976 2,479 7,455 
			 South West 40 3,205 1,735 4,940 
			 West Midlands 81 5,641 12,546 18,187 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 65 2,874 15,131 18,005 
			  
			 Total for year 631 46,562 82,771 129,333 
			  
			 1998–99 
			 East 41 1,411 2,575 3,986 
			 East Midlands 21 2,096 1,176 3,272 
			 London 105 4,125 1,796 5,921 
			 North East 35 2,304 6,953 9,257 
			 Northern Ireland 31 3,345 1,837 5,182 
			 North West 65 3,224 9,123 12,347 
			 Scotland 54 6,311 1,098 7,409 
			 South East 73 4,497 13,957 18,454 
			 UK 2 50 5,800 5,850 
			 Wales 48 5,591 1,796 7,387 
			 South West 34 3,008 1,417 4,425 
			 West Midlands 71 5,478 9,323 14,801 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 86 3,626 18,672 22,298 
			  
			 Total for year 666 45,066 75,523 120,589 
			 1999–2000 
			 East 37 2,101 2,085 4,186 
			 East Midlands 31 675 1,707 2,382 
			 London 159 7,200 9,989 17,189 
			 North East 49 3,479 8,431 11,910 
			 Northern Ireland 20 2,353 1,710 4,063 
			 North West 80 4,768 11,865 16,633 
			 Scotland 76 10,804 3,095 13,899 
			 South East 110 6,236 15,987 22,223 
			 South West 47 4,814 3,263 8,077 
			 UK 1 0 1,000 1,000 
			 Wales 47 4,161 3,636 7,797 
			 West Midlands 99 6,458 11,730 18,188 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 44 1,362 7,089 8,451 
			  
			 Total for year 800 54,411 81,587 135,998 
			  
			 2000–01 
			 East 56 3,094 7,898 10,992 
			 East Midlands 17 2,065 2,287 4,352 
			 London 222 8,306 2,274 10,580 
			 North East 35 4,959 2,859 7,818 
			 Northern Ireland 22 4,906 909 5,815 
			 North West 39 3,187 1,610 4,797 
			 Scotland 72 9,274 4,231 13,505 
			 South East 191 18,190 4,547 22,737 
			 South West 38 4,109 2,182 6,291 
			 UK 5 0 20 20 
			 Wales 39 4,520 1,833 6,353 
			 West Midlands 103 4,867 20,226 25,093 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 33 4,035 1,415 5,450 
			  
			 Total for year 872 71,512 52,291 123,803 
			  
			 Report total 2,969 217,551 292,172 509,723

Departmental Assets

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what stocks of (a) antiques, (b) paintings and (c) fine wines are held by her Department; if she will list such assets sold over the last three years together with the sale proceeds from such transactions; what plans she has to sell further such assets over the period of the current comprehensive spending review; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The Department does not hold stocks of antiques, paintings or fine wines. It holds a number of paintings and artwork on loan from the Government Art Collection, and a small collection of contemporary art purchased for the refurbished Conference Centre at 1 Victoria street. The only antique items owned by the Department are the Pyx chair and a Grandfather clock.
	There has been no sale of such assets during the last three years nor are there any plans for sales in the future.

Small Business Service (Chorley)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries the Small Business Service has had from the Chorley constituency.

Nigel Griffiths: Since April 2001, there have been 116 inquiries to the Small Business Service in the Chorley constituency.

Small Business Service (Chorley)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses have been started in the Chorley constituency with the help of the Small Business Service.

Nigel Griffiths: Since April 2001, there have been six business start-ups in the Chorley area. The number of businesses started in Chorley during 1999 was 285 (latest figures available).

Renewable Energy

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 11W, if he will list the location of the sites where tidal stream generators could be deployed.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 30 October 2001
	The following is a list of identified sites in UK waters where tidal stream generators could be deployed.
	Shetland:
	Yell Sound—East Channel
	Yell Sound—West Channel
	Bluemull Sound—North
	Bluemull Sound—South
	Orkney:
	North Ronaldsay Firth
	Eday Sound—Lashy
	Westray Firth—Falls of Warness
	Westray Firth—Kili Holm to Fers Ness
	Papa Westray
	Pentland Firth:
	Hoy
	South Ronaldsay
	Stroma
	South Ronaldsay/Pentland Skerries
	Pentland Skerries
	Duncansby Head
	Inner Sound
	West Scotland:
	Mull of Kintyre
	Sanda Sound
	Mull of Oa
	Gulf of Corryvreckan
	Dorus Mor
	Kyle Rhea
	Loch Linnhe—Corran
	Irish Sea:
	Rathlin Island, North Channel
	Mull of Galloway
	Wigtown Bay
	North Wales:
	Menai Strait—Belan
	Menai Strait—Menai Bridge
	Bristol Channel:
	Barry
	Foreland Point
	Lundy (North)
	Lundy (South)
	Cornwall:
	Cape Cornwall
	Lands End
	The Lizard
	English Channel:
	Portland Bill
	Channel Islands:
	Race of Alderney
	Casquets
	North West Guernsey
	Big Russel, Guernsey
	North East Jersey.
	Additional sites may be identified in the course of continuing research.

Renewable Energy

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the sites of the wind farm developments seeking sea-bed leases from the Crown Estate which have achieved pre-qualification status; and what the projected time scale is for their construction and commissioning.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 30 October 2001
	I refer the hon. Member to the Crown Estate press release of 5 April 2001 which provides details on the 18 developers, including specific site information, that pre-qualified for Crown Estate leases. A copy is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Information on the construction and commissioning phases of projects is a commercial matter for the developers concerned.

Renewable Energy

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she intends to implement the provisions of the EU Renewable Energy Directive for good quality energy from waste as part of the hierarchy of waste treatment.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 29 October 2001
	The European Directive on Renewable Energy sets out the European context for support schemes for renewable forms of energy. It is for each member state to design and implement domestic support systems. In our recently published statutory consultations on the Renewables Obligations we do not propose to support energy from mixed waste incineration. This position is entirely consistent with the EU Directive, which we will be implementing in due course.

Renewable Energy

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received on the need to include high quality energy from waste in the Renewables Obligation, consistent with the EU Renewable Energy Directive.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 29 October 2001
	We published our Statutory Consultation on the Renewables Obligation in August this year. We have received responses both commending the Government's proposals to exclude energy from the incineration of mixed wastes from the Renewables Obligation, and advocating that it should be included. We are currently considering the comments we have received and hope to bring a draft order before the House as soon as possible.

Electricity Trading

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress she has made on reaching a settlement with the energy regulator on the viability of combined heat and power projects under the new electricity trading arrangements.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 30 October 2001
	Ofgem published on 31 August their review of the impact of NETA on smaller generators. The report covered the first two months since the implementation of the new electricity arrangements (NETA). The Government will be issuing a consultation paper in response to the Ofgem report on smaller generators imminently which contains proposals aimed at addressing the issues surrounding NETA that have been raised by the smaller generator community, including the CHP generators.
	As well as consideration of the impact of NETA, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will also be publishing wider proposals in the form of a CHP strategy in the coming months.

Electricity Trading

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received regarding the new electricity trading arrangements.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 30 October 2001
	In October 1997, the then Minister for Industry, Energy and Science proposed that the electricity pool system be reviewed. In the review and the subsequent development of regulations to implement new electricity trading arrangements (NETA), there were a number of consultations undertaken by my Department and Ofgem. During the development and implementation of NETA, numerous representations were received from a range of organisations, in the form of letters, responses to consultation exercises and in meetings. Since NETA went live in March of this year, the DTI and Ofgem have consulted on further refinements to the trading arrangements in light of experience of the new system. This has prompted further representations from interested parties.

Electricity Trading

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will publish her consultation document responding to the Ofgem report on the effects of new electricity trading arrangements on small generators.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 29 October 2001
	The Government will be publishing their consultation document responding to Ofgem's reports on the operation of NETA and the initial impact of NETA on smaller generators in the near future.

Electricity Trading

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the part aggregation could play in addressing the position of small generators under new electricity trading arrangements.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 29 October 2001
	The impact of NETA on smaller generators, including renewables and CHP, was, and continues to be, of great concern. Following a request by the then Minister for Energy, Ofgem published on 31 August 2001 a report on the impact of NETA on smaller generators, based on the first two months of NETA operation, as well as a report on NETA operation generally.
	Ofgem's report on the impact of NETA on smaller generators includes the finding that there is widespread concern that aggregation (or 'consolidation') services have yet to become fully operational.
	The Government believe that effective aggregation services, which would group smaller generators into portfolios of predictable and less predictable generation, are one of the keys to addressing issues faced by smaller generators under NETA.
	The Government will imminently be issuing proposals specifically aimed at addressing the concerns of the smaller generators community, including wind generation. These will include proposals on aggregation services under NETA and will set out the Government's views on aggregation services in detail.

Medicines (Developing Countries)

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if her Department will press the forthcoming WTO summit to take steps to ensure that developing countries have access to cheap medicines.

Nigel Griffiths: We are working with the European Union and others to ensure that the WTO's existing rules on intellectual property help developing countries gain access to medicines. This means making sure that new medicines are developed while at the same time allowing developing countries to take appropriate measures to protect public health in national emergencies.
	Intellectual property rights need to be part of wider action to address the problems facing developing countries in delivering effective healthcare to all their citizens. That is why the UK strongly supports the global fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and why my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister asked my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development to form a high level working group to report back by May 2002 on what else needs to be done.

Post Office Closures

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices were closed in each quarter of each financial year for 1979–80 to 2000–01.

Patricia Hewitt: I understand from Post Office Ltd. that compilation of post office closure statistics on a quarterly basis was only introduced last year. The available quarterly figures for net post office closures are:
	October to December 2000—135
	January to March 2001—113
	April to June 2001—119.
	Total closures for the year to March 2001 were 547. Of these, four were classified as permanent.
	A £2 million fund to support relocation and refurbishment initiatives by volunteer or community groups to maintain or reopen post office facilities in rural areas where the traditional post office is closing received parliamentary approval in July.

Icelandic Trawlermen (Compensation)

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims made under the Icelandic trawlermen's compensation scheme which have been refused at appeal have been taken to the independent adjudicator; and how many have been successful.

Nigel Griffiths: As at 29 October, 101 appeals have been sent to the independent adjudicator for consideration. So far three have been allowed.

Icelandic Trawlermen (Compensation)

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the average length of time taken to settle claims made under the Icelandic trawlermen's compensation scheme.

Nigel Griffiths: Over half of the compensation payments were made within five months of the launch of the scheme.

Icelandic Trawlermen (Compensation)

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims under the Icelandic trawlermen's compensation scheme from those who have continued to fish after 1979 have been paid.

Nigel Griffiths: Trawlermen who qualified for compensation under the initial rules of the scheme may have continued fishing on vessels other than former Icelandic water trawlers or moved out of fishing entirely. I regret that information differentiating these two groups is not available.

Icelandic Trawlermen (Compensation)

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims under the Icelandic trawlermen's compensation scheme are outstanding; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: All claims received have been scrutinised and entered into the special computer system established for the scheme. Some 1,781 claims have not yet been paid or rejected either because they were on hold or because further information is awaited, often from claimants themselves.

Icelandic Trawlermen (Compensation)

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims made under the Icelandic trawlermen's compensation scheme have been refused; how many have been subsequently appealed; and how many appeals have been successful.

Nigel Griffiths: As of 29 October, 4,199 claims have been rejected. 101 appeals have been sent to the independent adjudicator for consideration, of which three have been allowed so far.

Icelandic Trawlermen (Compensation)

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total amount paid so far is under the Icelandic trawlermen's compensation scheme.

Nigel Griffiths: At 22 October, £22.8 million had been paid out in compensation under the scheme.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Ladbroke Grove Rail Disaster

Joan Humble: To ask the Solicitor-General what the basis was for the advice of the Crown Prosecution Service to the British Transport police relating to a further investigation arising from the Ladbroke Grove disaster.

David Drew: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service not to proceed with its case with regard to the Paddington rail disaster.

Harriet Harman: I shall place in the Library tomorrow a statement by the Crown Prosecution Service explaining the basis for the advice that it has given to the British Transport police to enable the British Transport police to decide whether to conduct any further investigations arising out of the tragic circumstances of this disaster.

Personal Injury Claims

David Drew: To ask the Solicitor-General what plans she has to review the process of personal injury claims, with particular reference to the role of insurance companies.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	There are no specific plans, but the Government keep developments in personal injury cases and their funding under general review and are currently evaluating the Civil Justice Reforms which have been implemented since April 1999.

Personal Injury Claims

David Drew: To ask the Solicitor-General what powers she has to intervene in personal injury claims when it is clear that there is deliberate delay on the part of one party.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	The Lord Chancellor has responsibility for civil court procedure and he has no power to intervene in individual cases.
	Since the introduction of the Civil Procedure Rules in April 1999 the courts have been required to manage cases actively and may impose sanctions for delay or unreasonable behaviour either before or during a claim. A party who has experienced delays when attempting to resolve the dispute should bring the matter to the court's attention. The sanctions can vary according to the nature and the effect of the delay. They range from ordering additional costs to be paid by the party causing the delay to striking out a claim or a defence.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Individual Learning Accounts

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people have registered for individual learning accounts.

John Healey: By 26 October 2,490,966 individual learning accounts had been opened in England.

Individual Learning Accounts

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her estimate is of the total cost of the suspension of individual learning accounts.

John Healey: It is not possible to estimate the total cost at this stage. However, letters notifying our 2.5 million individual learning account (ILA) holders that the programme is to be withdrawn from 7 December were sent out from 29 October 2001. The cost to the Department to complete this is £789,000. In addition, notices were placed in nine national newspapers on 26 and 27 October at a cost of £37,679.
	In addition, we will be working to ensure that existing account holders can take up learning opportunities booked by 7 December, and to look into complaints made against some learning providers.

Individual Learning Accounts

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost has been to date of the advertising campaign advising people of the suspension of individual learning accounts.

John Healey: Notices advising that the individual learning account programme is to be withdrawn in England from 7 December 2001 were placed in nine newspapers on 26 and 27 October—The Daily Mirror, The Daily Express, The Daily Mail, The Daily Star, The Evening Standard, The Independent, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, and The Times.
	The cost was £37,679.

Individual Learning Accounts

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance she has given to UK online centres following the suspension of individual learning accounts.

John Healey: We immediately acknowledged the concerns of UK online centres through the dedicated centre managers' online resource website. In addition, I wrote to all learning providers who are operating the individual learning accounts (ILAs) programme, informing them of the changes.
	We have asked centres to inform our partners, the Government offices and the agencies responsible for the UK online centres application process of the impact that the withdrawal of ILAs will have on them. These partners will then be able to provide the Department with a clear picture of the position for UK online centres.

Teaching Materials

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent representations she has received about the relaxation of guidelines over branding of teaching materials and activities by corporate sponsors.

Stephen Timms: In conjunction with the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers and the Consumers Association, we recently issued revised guidance, "Commercial Activities in Schools: Best Practice Principles". It revises and updates guidance produced by the National Consumers Council in 1996. Far from being a relaxation of criteria, the guidance makes it clear that schools should satisfy themselves that the educational benefits of the commercial activity outweigh the potential disadvantages; that explicit sales messages should be avoided wherever possible; and that the level of any branding should be appropriate to the activity. I have placed a copy of "Commercial Activities in Schools: Best Practice Principles" in the House of Commons Library.
	We have received no recent representations about the new guidelines.

A-Level Results

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to address gender differences in A-level results.

Ivan Lewis: Our goal is, of course, that students of both genders fulfil their potential in higher education and the employment market. We are aware that boys' performance in the main A-level subjects has not equalled that of girls in recent years. The foundations for improvement need to be laid at earlier stages of schooling. That is why we have put resources into pre-16 initiatives that enhance boys' performance, such as the literacy strategy. We also have a major research project under way to identify successful strategies for raising boys' achievement that can be disseminated more widely. Examples of good practice are already being made available online to schools.

Social Exclusion Report

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made in implementing the social exclusion unit's report on 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training.

Ivan Lewis: We are making excellent progress with implementing the social exclusion unit's report.
	Fifteen ConneXions partnerships are currently operational, and 18 more partnerships have been invited to prepare business plans setting out how they will deliver the ConneXions service in their areas from April 2002. The service will be available across England by 2002–03. An independent report on the 13 ConneXions service pilots—which tested different aspects of the service—has shown that 80 per cent. of young people helped by personal advisers feel ConneXions has made a real difference to their future prospects.
	The ConneXions card—which will offer rewards and incentives for participation in post-compulsory learning—is being trialled in a small number of schools and colleges in the north-east. Following completion of the trials, the card will be rolled out on a regional basis across the country, becoming available throughout England from autumn 2002.
	Our education maintenance allowance (EMA) programme is having a positive effect on the lives of many young people. Around 100,000 young people have applied for an EMA to date in this academic year. Early evidence is encouraging: EMAs have produced a 5 percentage point increase in participation among the target group. Our EMA transport pilots and pilots for the homeless, teenage parents and people with disabilities are now in their second year of operation. Initial findings suggest that vulnerable young people are benefiting from EMAs.
	In the "Schools: Delivering Success" White Paper, we set out our framework for a coherent phase of 14 to 19 learning. Key elements include tailored programmes of learning—offering more opportunities for vocational and work-related learning—through which young people could advance at their own pace. We are also looking at proposals for an overarching award covering challenging goals in formal qualifications, but in which other achievements—such as volunteering—might also be recognised.
	We will be issuing a consultation document in the new year, which will set out our proposals for 14 to 19 learning in more detail.

School Exclusions

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to increase the level of funding for education provision of excluded pupils.

Stephen Timms: Education standard spending will increase by 6 per cent. for 2002–03. Local education authorities will need to decide how much of that increase they spend on increased education provision for excluded pupils. They will have a duty to ensure that all children excluded for more than 15 days receive a full-time education from September 2002.

Further Education (West Chelmsford)

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of (a) post A-level and (b) vocational school leavers in the constituency of West Chelmsford in (i) July 2001, (ii) July 2000 and (iii) July 1999 went on to: (A) university, (B) employment (C) unemployment and (D) Government sponsored training programmes.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 26 October 2001
	The information is not available at constituency level.
	National estimates of the main activity of what young people are doing after year 13 are available from the youth cohort study (YCS). The destinations of those in full-time education in year 13 leaving with either two or more A-levels or a vocational level 3 qualification are shown in the following table.
	
		Main activity in year following year 13 for post A-level(10) and vocational school leavers(11)—England and Wales
		
			   Percentage  
			  Post A-level(10) Vocational level 3(11) 
		
		
			 Full time education 74 49 
			 of which:   
			 Higher education 62 32 
			 Employment 19 39 
			 Unemployment/Other/Not stated 6 9 
			 Government supported training 1 3 
			  
			 Total 100 100 
		
	
	(10) Young people in full-time education in year 13 who attained two or more A-levels
	(11) Young people in full-time education in year 13 who attained a level 3 vocational qualification
	Source:
	Youth Cohort Study, Cohort 9 sweeps 2 and 3

Sixth Forms (Worcestershire)

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list (a) the number of pupils in each sixth form and (b) the indicative budgets for each school sixth form in 2002–03 for every school with a sixth form in Worcestershire.

Ivan Lewis: Learning and Skills Council allocations for schools in Worcestershire will not be announced until December, and work to calculate them is still under way.

Primary School Admissions

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps are taken to prevent admission authorities from requiring parents to enter their children prematurely for reception classes to ensure admission to primary schools.

Stephen Timms: The Secretary of State has made it clear to admission authorities that parents should not be pressurised into sending their child to school before he or she has reached compulsory school age. The code of practice on school admissions encourages admission authorities to allow parents to secure a school place but defer their child's entry to school until later on in the same academic year. Admissions policy is under review with proposed changes currently the subject of consultation. The Secretary of State is looking to strengthen the message in the code by making it clear that she expects all admission authorities to allow parents to defer entry.
	The consultation on admissions ends on 7 November.

Teachers (East Yorkshire)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the class sizes of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools were in the East Riding of Yorkshire on 31 March in each year since 1996.

Stephen Timms: The available information is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools in East Riding of Yorkshire Local Education Authority: average class sizes(12)
		
			   Average class size  
			  Maintained primary schools Maintained secondary schools 
		
		
			 January each year   
			 2001 27.3 21.8 
			 2000 27.4 22.0 
			 1999 28.3 22.1 
			 1998 28.7 21.6 
			 1997 28.3 21.0 
			 1996 27.7 21.2 
		
	
	(12) Classes taught by one teacher
	Note:
	East Riding of Yorkshire LEA was formed in April 1996 as part of the local government re-organisation.

Special Schools

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what consultation has been carried out with the parents of pupils in special schools on the policy of inclusion and the future of those schools; and what the results of that consultation were.

Stephen Timms: The Government have consulted widely on their strategy to raise standards for pupils with special educational needs. Like others, parents, pupils and staff from special schools have contributed to the consultations on the Green Paper, "Excellence For All Children: Meeting Special Educational Needs" (October 1997), "Meeting Special Educational Needs: A Programme of Action" (November 1998) and the provisions of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (March 2000). The Government's proposals received broad support.
	There is a continuing and vital role for special schools within an inclusive education system. Inclusion is not a drive to close special schools. Rather, the Government want all special schools to be outward-looking centres of excellence working hand in hand with each other and with mainstream schools. Special schools can act as a source of expertise, advice and professional development. When mainstream and special schools work together there are benefits for all.

Special Schools

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his answer of 17 October 2001, Official Report, column 1231W, on specialist schools, what proportion of the applicants who gained sponsorship arranged through the Technology Colleges Trust had such sponsorship make up 50 per cent. or more of the total sponsorship needed to gain specialist status.

Stephen Timms: Sponsorship arranged through the Technology Colleges Trust accounted for 50 per cent. or more of the sponsorship raised in the case of 51 per cent. of the applicant schools.

Special Schools

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his answer of 17 October, Official Report, column 1231W, on specialist schools, what proportion of the applicants who gained sponsorship arranged through the Technology Colleges Trust were applicants for (a) arts, (b) technology, (c) language college and (d) sports status.

Stephen Timms: The proportion of applicants supported through sponsorship arranged through the Technology Colleges Trust were as follows: 32 per cent. arts applicants; 50 per cent. technology applicants; and 18 per cent. language college applicants. Support for schools applying for sports college status is provided through the Youth Sport Trust.

Special Educational Needs

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations have been received on the most recent SEN code document.

Stephen Timms: A draft special educational needs code of practice was laid before Parliament on 20 June. It was withdrawn in response to comments from members of both Houses, many on behalf of parents or parents' groups, in particular about the draft guidance on quantifying the provision in children's statements of special educational needs.
	A revised draft addressing those concerns was placed before Parliament for approval on 23 October. The further revision has been widely welcomed.

Computers Within Reach

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which of the targets for Computers Within Reach were (a) achieved and (b) not achieved, indicating the reasons for not meeting the targets.

John Healey: The original target for the pilot phase of the Computers within Reach scheme was to supply up to 35,000 refurbished computers by March 2001 for those on certain benefits who were seeking to gain or retain employment. Due to problems associated with the sourcing of equipment and the logistics of delivery, the scheme was extended to 31 October 2001. This was to enable all individuals on waiting lists who had paid for a computer to receive one. Until figures from suppliers are collated I cannot give a final number for computers delivered through the scheme. However, it is anticipated that around 24,000 computers will have been delivered by the end of the pilot phase.
	There is an on-going evaluation of the scheme and the initial findings show it has been successful in targeting the priority groups of those in receipt of:
	jobseekers' allowance
	income support
	incapacity benefit
	state pension with minimum income guarantee.
	I am currently considering the way forward for the scheme in the light of lessons learned from the pilot phase, as well as the findings of the evaluation research which is currently under way.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Tony Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans have been made by (a) her Department and (b) institutions involved in the preparation for Holocaust Memorial Day 2002.

Stephen Timms: The Home Office is the Government Department with responsibility for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2002. It is working with a number of Government Departments and organisations on the preparations for the day.
	Last year, this Department produced an education pack for all schools to support last year's Holocaust Memorial Day. New resources for schools to commemorate the day in 2002 have been developed and will be available at the end of November 2001. The resources are complementary to the education pack which the Department produced last year, and reflect this year's theme of Britain and the Holocaust.
	The resources have been produced by an education working group of experts on the holocaust, racism, and education, from bodies such as the Wiener Library and the Imperial War Museum. I am grateful for their continued support and dedication to this work.

Capital Grants (Northamptonshire)

Tony Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which schools in Northampton, South which have received capital grants; and what the value of grants was in each case.

Stephen Timms: Table A shows the new deal for schools devolved formula capital allocations made to schools in the Northampton, South constituency in 2001–02.
	Table B shows those additional capital grants allocated to Northamptonshire local education authority for projects in its schools during 2001–02.
	
		Table A—new deal for schools (NDS) devolved formula capital allocations made to schools in the Northampton, South constituency in 2001–02
		
			 School name Allocation (£) 
		
		
			 Abington Vale Lower School 9,566 
			 Abington Vale Middle School 19,974 
			 Ashton Church of England Primary School 6,676 
			 Barry Lower School 10,534 
			 Bellinge Lower School 8,567 
			 Briar Hill Lower School 10,304 
			 Chiltern Lower School 9,105 
			 Cliftonville Middle School 11,949 
			 Cogenhoe Primary School 8,336 
			 Collingtree Church of England Primary School 6,830 
			 Delapre Middle School 21,865 
			 Denton Primary School 7,768 
			 Duston Eldean Lower School 12,563 
			 Duston Upper School 27,423 
			 East Hunsbury Lower School 13,132 
			 Ecton Brook Lower School 9,443 
			 Ecton Brook Middle School 17,069 
			 Gloucester Nursery School 6,769 
			 Great Billing Church of England Lower School 7,576 
			 Hackleton Primary School 9,197 
			 Hardingstone Primary School 9,197 
			 Harpole Primary School 9,074 
			 Hartwell Church of England Primary School 9,274 
			 Hopping Hill Lower School 10,411 
			 Hunsbury Park Lower School 9,935 
			 Kislingbury Primary School 8,044 
			 Little Houghton Church of England Primary 6,802 
			 Lyncrest Lower School 9,689 
			 Mereway Lower School 9,420 
			 Mereway Middle School 20,481 
			 Mereway Upper School 21,842 
			 Military Road Lower School 9,305 
			 Millway Middle School 18,406 
			 Milton Parochial Primary School 7,798 
			 Northampton School for Boys 33,303 
			 Preston Hedges Primary School 9,996 
			 Queen Eleanor Lower School 10,672 
			 Roade Primary School 9,673 
			 Roade School 38,584 
			 Ryelands Middle School 17,830 
			 Simon de Senlis Lower School 11,034 
			 Spring Lane Lower School 9,643 
			 St. James Church of England Lower School 7,783 
			 St. Lukes Church of England Lower School 7,506 
			 St. Paul's Lower School 7,967 
			 Standens Barn Lower School 9,581 
			 Vernon Terrace Lower School 9,043 
			 Weston Favell Church of England Lower School 9,043 
			 Wootton Primary School 10,688 
			 Yardley Hastings Primary School 7,122 
			  
			 Total 603,792 
		
	
	
		Table B—capital grant allocations to Northamptonshire local education authority 2001–02
		
			  £000  
			 Grant name Allocation 
		
		
			 Voluntary Aided Schools 943 
			 School Laboratories 360 
			 School Security 166 
			 School Access 581 
			 NDS Condition 1,670 
			 Seed Challenge 424 
			  
			 Total 4,144

Post-16 Education

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of children remained in education after completing their GCSEs in (a) schools with sixth forms and (b) schools without sixth forms, in 2001.

Ivan Lewis: The primary source of information on the changes in the activities of young people after completing compulsory education is the youth cohort study (YCS).
	The table details the figures requested.
	
		Percentage 
		
			 Comprehensive schools  In full-time education in year 12 
		
		
			 With sixth form 71 
			 No sixth form 65 
		
	
	These estimates are for England and Wales. Equivalent estimates for schools other than comprehensive schools are not available.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

John Horam: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been imposed in the London Borough of Bromley and at what cost to public funds.

John Denham: Information collected centrally identifies the number of antisocial behaviour orders issued by Magistrates' Court Committee (MCC) area only, not by local authority area. Information is not collected centrally on the costs to public funds such orders make.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued in each of the local authority areas covered by the Essex police; and if he will list those where no orders have been issued.

John Denham: Information collected centrally identifies the number of antisocial behaviour orders issued by Magistrates' Court Committee (MCC) area only, not by local authority area.

Volunteer Bureaux

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning The Experience Corps Limited and funding for local volunteer bureaux.

John Denham: I recognise that volunteer bureaux play a strong role in promoting volunteering and good practice locally; that is why the Home Office provides funding of about £170,000 annually to the National Association of Volunteer Bureaux. I have received representations on behalf of a number of volunteer bureaux concerning funding allocated to the Experience Corps. The Experience Corps was established specifically to support and mobilise older people to become active in their communities. I hope that these organisations will work together to build on and enhance what has already been achieved.

Chinese State Visit (Policing)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account he has taken of the findings of the High Court on 3 May 2000 in respect of the actions of the Metropolitan police in determining the appropriate level and nature of policing for the visit of the Chinese State Vice-President to the UK this month.

John Denham: holding answer 30 October 2001
	I have been informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the planning for the policing operation during Vice-President Hu Jintao's visit has taken into account the findings of the High Court on the 3 May 2000.

Chinese State Visit (Policing)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings have taken place between the Metropolitan police, his Department, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Chinese officials to discuss the policing of the UK state visit of the Chinese State Vice-President, Hu Jintao; and what decisions were taken on the policing of this visit.

John Denham: holding answer 30 October 2001
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have held several routine meetings with the Chinese Embassy to discuss the programme for the Vice-President's visit. The Metropolitan police attended some of these, to enable them to make operational decisions on security for the visit. Decisions on the policing of the visit are a matter for the Metropolitan police alone.

Criminal Records (Discrimination)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures will be introduced to prevent discrimination against those with criminal records when they apply for a job, following the Police Act 1997.

John Denham: holding answer 30 October 2001
	We are determined that people who have offended in the past should not be unfairly discriminated against. The Code of Practice issued under the Police Act 1997, following extensive consultation, emphasises the need for information to be used fairly, and for guidance issued or supported by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) to be observed. The Code also requires employers to have written policies in relation to the recruitment of ex-offenders. The CRB is working closely with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and with Nacro to develop guidance material for organisations that wish to use the CRB's service. Two publications have been issued so far. Both offer practical and policy recommendations on employing people with a criminal record. The Bureau will continue to work with these organisations and others on the creation of guidance materials. A publicity campaign aimed at offenders, ex-offenders, employers, volunteering groups and the public is currently being developed by the CRB, to help inform people about the disclosure service.

Special Constables

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the turnover rate was for special constables in each constabulary in England in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: Home Office-funded research into the premature wastage of special constables, completed last year, found that the primary reasons for leaving were often external to the service. However, the research identified some underlying management factors contributing to the decision to resign.
	Recommendations aimed at reducing the wastage included making improvements to: the flexibility of duties and hours offered; the management structure within which specials operate; the quality of training provided locally; and to local efforts to monitor and prevent wastage.
	The Government are committed to increasing the special constabulary and as part of the police reform process we are looking at radical improvements in the management, welfare and deployment of special constables.

Special Constables

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables are to be assigned to the Senlac Division (a) this year and (b) in the next five years.

John Denham: I am informed by the Chief Constable of Sussex police that the force aims for a ratio of one special constable to every five regular officers. Establishment figures for regular officers are set on a yearly projection basis according to the budget; For the Senlac Division in 2001, this figure was 260 regular officers. There are currently 34 special constables deployed there.
	No decisions have been made about the deployment of regular (and therefore special) constables for next year and beyond.
	The Government are committed to increasing the special constabulary and as part of the police reform process we are looking at radical improvements in the management, welfare and deployment of special constables.

Special Constables

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables were with the Essex police at the end of (a) 1971, (b) 1981 and (c) 1991; and what the latest available figure is for 2001.

John Denham: The number of serving special constables at force level has only been recorded centrally from 1991 onwards. Figures for 1971 and 1981 are not available. The total number of special constables in Essex police force for 1991 and 2001 are set out in the table.
	
		
			 Year Total number of special constables 
		
		
			 30 December 1991 642 
			 31 March 2001 445 
		
	
	The Government are committed to increasing the special constabulary and as part of the police reform process we are looking at radical improvements in the management, welfare and deployment of special constables.

Emergency Services Personnel (Assaults)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people convicted of assaulting (a) ambulance personnel and (b) other emergency services' personnel in the last 12 months for which figures are available received a (i) custodial sentence, (ii) community service order and (iii) fine.

John Denham: The statistics held centrally on the Home Office's Court Proceedings Database include only the circumstances of an offence if such details are referred to in legislation. Assaults on ambulance personnel and other emergency services' personnel excluding the police are not separately identified in legislation from other offences of assault and so details of convictions of offenders found guilty of such offences are not centrally available.
	Summary offences of assault on police officers can be identified and details of convictions for this offence in 1999, broken down by type of sentence, are given in the table. It is not possible to identify more serious offences of assault on the police.
	Data for 2000 will be available in November.
	
		Persons convicted and sentenced at all courts for assaulting a constable by type of sentence, England and Wales, 1999
		
			  Offence/convictions 
		
		
			 Offence description Assaulting a constable 
			 Principal statute Police Act 1996, Sec. 89(1) and offences against similar provisions in Local Acts 
			 Total convicted 6,117 
			 Total sentenced 6,133 
			 of which:  
			 Unsuspended sentence of imprisonment(13) 1,281 
			 Community service order 971 
			 Fine 1,319 
		
	
	(13) Comprises persons sentenced to a secure training order, to a young offender institution or to an unsuspended sentence of imprisonment
	Note:
	All data given refer to the principal offence. Some persons sentenced may have been convicted in a previous year

Prison Work

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received during the last 12 months on the impact of the price of goods manufactured by prisoners on similar products made by commercial businesses outside; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The Prison Service policy on pricing is that goods and services should be offered at a fair market price, which covers direct manufacturing cost plus a contribution to the recovery of overheads. Prison overheads are higher than outside because of high fixed costs, such as high ratios of costly supervision, a short working week and low productivity rates. Once a prison has recovered all variable costs and a contribution to the direct costs, its rates are in most cases no lower than those of comparable commercial ventures.
	The Prison Service has dealt with three cases during the last 12 months in which concerns were expressed about under-cutting by prisons. All three cases were fully investigated and it was found in each case that Prison Service policy had been adhered to.

Nottinghamshire Police

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the budget for Nottinghamshire police in (a) cash and (b) real terms for each financial year since April 1996.

John Denham: holding answer 30 October 2001
	The information is set out in the table.
	
		
			   Cash (£ million) Real (£ million) Real terms increase (percentage) 
		
		
			 1996–97 115.3 130.6 1.6 
			 1997–98 119.7 131.5 0.7 
			 1998–99 124.7 133.3 1.3 
			 1999–2000 129.6 135.3 1.5 
			 2000–01 133.8 137.1 1.4 
			 2001–02 140.3 140.3 2.3 
		
	
	Note:
	Real terms figures are given at 2001–02 prices (GDP deflator)
	Source:
	Nottinghamshire police

Crime Reduction

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what discussions he has held with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Trade and Industry, to co-ordinate initiatives to reduce crime through sport and recreation;
	(2)  what level of funding is available from his Department for initiatives to reduce crime through sport and recreation;
	(3)  what discussions he has held with professional sports clubs about using sports initiatives to reduce crime.

John Denham: A number of professional sports bodies were involved in the discussions of the Football Working Group, which was chaired by former Home Office Minister, Lord Bassam of Brighton and which reported in March 2001. The working group report includes recommendations aimed at encouraging Premiership and Football League clubs to maximise and expand their community investment programmes, notably through developing partnerships with local communities, local authorities and businesses. The report highlights the social and public order benefits of encouraging, facilitating and funding young people to participate in grassroots football and other sports projects.
	In January 2001 senior Home Office officials met officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the Department for Education and Skills (formerly Department for Education and Science) and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (formerly Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions) to discuss the contribution youth sport can make to crime reduction. Officials subsequently attended a seminar organised by the DCMS and featuring an American expert in this field. Further discussions took place in June and officials remain in touch with a view to identifying examples of effective schemes which can be recommended to Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships.
	The Home Office is currently funding a number of schemes which aim to use sport and recreation to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. There are several small schemes with total funding of £400,000 under the Reducing Burglary Initiative. The principal schemes are those involving the Youth Justice Board—ie Positive Futures (£6 million over three years to March 2003); Youth Inclusion (£15.6 million over four years to March 2003); and Easter and Summer 'Splash' schemes (£3.6 million over two years to March 2002).

Police Priorities

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many priorities he has set each police authority in England and Wales in the last three years.

John Denham: The Police Act 1996 allows the Home Secretary to set objectives for policing, normally referred to as Ministerial Priorities.
	For each of the years 1999–2000,2000–01, 2001–02 financial years there have been the same two Ministerial priorities.
	1—to reduce crime and disorder in partnership with local authorities, other agencies and the public.
	2—to increase trust and confidence in policing among minority ethnic communities.
	In the first of these years, there were two additional priorities:
	1—to deal speedily and effectively with young offenders and to work with other agencies to reduce offending and re-offending.
	2—to target and reduce drug related crime in partnership with other local agencies, via the local Drug Action Team 1 in line with the Government's strategy "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain".
	1 Drug and Alcohol Action Teams in Wales.

Correspondence

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 24 July from the hon. Member for Torbay regarding Mr. Tuci of Chelston, Torquay.

Angela Eagle: I wrote to the hon. Member on 30 October. I am sorry I have been unable to send an earlier reply.

Correspondence

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reply to the letter to him dated 21 September from the hon. Member for Solihull concerning the company known as A & N Trimmings Ltd.

John Denham: I replied to the hon. Member's letter of 21 September on 19 October.

Correspondence

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what was, for each year since 1995, the average response time for providing a substantive answer to (a) hon. Members' correspondence, (b) correspondence from members of the public and (c) written parliamentary questions in the (i) House of Commons and (ii) House of Lords;
	(2)  what was, for each year since 1995, the total number of (a) letters from hon. Members (b) letters from members of the public and (c) parliamentary questions from (i) hon. Members and (ii) Lords dealt with by his Department; what percentage took (A) more than one month and (B) more than three months to provide a substantive answer; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: My Department receives large amounts of correspondence from hon. Members and members of the public. We aim to send a substantive reply to all letters as soon as possible. I am determined to achieve a high level of performance in dealing quickly with correspondence.
	We are working with our information technology partners to develop next summer a customer contact centre which will radically change the way we handle letters, e-mails and telephone inquiries. In the short term we are implementing a number of organisational and process changes to bring about improvements in the quality and timeliness of replies and to prepare for the contact centre.
	General information on the volumes of correspondence received across Whitehall and on overall performance is published by the Cabinet Office. Figures for 2000 were published on 6 April 2001, Official Report, column 324W, and on 19 July 2001, Official Report, column 454W.
	The Home Office also receives a high number of parliamentary questions each Session and takes its responsibilities for answering them seriously. This is reflected in the performance levels indicated in the tables, which are, in the main, within the recommended response times required by both Houses. The Home Office has, since 2000, had a performance indicator of answering 95 per cent. of parliamentary questions within target. In the most recent financial year for which figures are available—2000/01—the figure achieved was 94 per cent.
	The tables show the number of written parliamentary questions answered by the Home Office in the House of Commons and the House of Lords respectively since 1995; the percentage of those questions which took more than a month to provide a substantive answer; the percentage of questions which took more than three months to provide a substantive answer; and the average response time in days from the point at which the question is due for answer (ie the date on which it appears in the order book). The figures for questions in the House of Commons have been broken down in terms of questions which were for ordinary written and named day answer respectively.
	
		Table 1: Written Parliamentary Questions (House of Commons)
		
			  Number of ordinary written questions Percentage more than one month Percentage more than three months Average response time in days Number of named day written questions Percentage more than one month Percentage more than three months Average response time in days 
		
		
			 1995 1,968 1 1 5 1,591 0 0 2 
			 1996 1,615 2 0 5 1,187 1 0 3 
			 1997 1,515 0 0 4 1,300 0 0 2 
			 1998 2,222 0 0 4 1,251 0 0 1 
			 1999 2,200 0 0 5 1,661 0 0 1 
			 2000 1,947 0 0 4 2,063 0 0 2 
			 2001(14) 1,136 0 0 4 1,000 1 0 2 
		
	
	(14) As at 20 July 2001
	
		Table 2: Written Parliamentary Questions (House of Lords)
		
			  Number Percentage more than one month Percentage more than three months Average response times in days 
		
		
			 1995 219 0 0 8 
			 1996 340 0 0 9 
			 1997 367 2 0 8 
			 1998 607 0 0 8 
			 1999 573 1 0 9 
			 2000 579 2 0 9 
			 2001(15) 135 4 0 8 
		
	
	(15) As at 20 July 2001

Child Deaths

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many homicides there were of a child aged under one, broken down by the relationship of the victim to the principal suspect; and how many people were (a) charged and (b) convicted of such offences in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

John Denham: The requested details are in the table.
	
		Homicide of children under one year
		
			  1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 
		
		
			 Number of victims 16 28 30 42 37 
			   
			 Son/daughter (including adopted) 13 21 23 28 25 
			 Stepson/daughter (including child of suspect's cohabitant/lover) 0 1 2 5 4 
			 Other family (including foster children) 0 0 0 0 1 
			 Friend, ex-friend 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Professional (suspect killed customer or client in the course of carrying out their occupation) 1 1 0 1 0 
			 Other known (acquaintance) 0 1 3 4 0 
			 Not known (insufficient information) 0 0 0 1 0 
			 No current suspect 2 4 2 2 7 
			  
			 Total 16 28 30 42 37 
			   
			  Outcome principal suspect—convictions   
			 Murder 5 1 5 5 3 
			 Manslaughter 7 11 14 12 2 
			 Infanticide 1 4 4 7 0 
			 Suspect died 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Acquitted/proceedings discontinued 0 1 1 1 0 
			 Suspect committed suicide 0 1 1 0 0 
			 Number of proceedings on advice of DPS 0 4 1 2 1 
			 Other (eg under age) 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Court proceedings pending, in progress 1 0 3 14 24 
			 No suspect 2 3 1 1 7 
			  
			 Total 16 28 30 42 37 
		
	
	Statistics on homicides cover the latest published period and are as at 11 September 2000. Figures are subject to revision (usually downwards) as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available.

Child Deaths

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many child deaths where domestic violence is a factor were recorded in each police authority since such statistics were collated.

John Denham: Statistics on the homicide of children killed by their parents are collected centrally, but those where domestic violence is a factor cannot be separately identified.
	The following tables show currently recorded homicides of children less than 16 years, killed by their parents, for each police force area. Data are provided from 1977 to 1997 on a calendar year basis and from 1997–98 to 1999–2000 on a financial year basis. Information is as at 11 September 2000 when recording was closed for publication purposes. The outcome may result in some offences being reclassified as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available.
	
		Table 1: Offences currently recorded as homicide for children less than 16 years where the relationship of the victim to the principal suspect is that of son or daughter
		
			 Police force 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 2 0 3 1 3 3 0 0 0 1 1 4 
			 Bedfordshire 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 1 2 
			 Cambridgeshire 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 
			 Cheshire 1 3 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 
			 Cleveland 1 0 1 0 3 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 
			 Cumbria 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 
			 Derbyshire 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 1 
			 Devon and Cornwall 0 3 2 3 0 1 0 2 1 3 1 1 
			 Dorset 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 
			 Durham 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Essex 0 1 6 1 2 0 2 1 2 2 2 3 
			 Gloucestershire 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 
			 Greater Manchester 4 2 4 2 4 3 2 3 5 2 5 5 
			 Hampshire 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 4 0 0 2 
			 Hertfordshire 0 1 1 1 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Humberside 2 1 2 1 3 2 0 2 1 0 0 1 
			 Kent 1 2 1 0 1 0 4 2 1 1 4 0 
			 Lancashire 4 2 2 2 0 5 1 1 1 1 2 5 
			 Leicestershire 1 1 1 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 0 1 
			 Lincolnshire 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 
			 London City of 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Merseyside 1 2 2 2 2 3 1 1 0 0 0 4 
			 Metropolitan Police 8 6 13 10 7 9 6 7 18 4 16 8 
			 Norfolk 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 1 
			 Northamptonshire 0 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 0 0 1 0 
			 Northumbria 0 0 1 1 2 0 3 3 4 0 2 1 
			 North Yorkshire 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 
			 Nottinghamshire 2 1 0 2 4 0 1 0 1 3 2 4 
			 South Yorkshire 0 3 1 0 0 0 2 3 1 1 1 0 
			 Staffordshire 4 1 0 0 1 3 0 1 0 2 0 2 
			 Suffolk 2 1 1 0 0 0 3 2 1 0 0 1 
			 Surrey 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 2 
			 Sussex 2 2 2 0 3 3 1 0 1 1 1 0 
			 Thames Valley 0 4 1 0 1 3 0 8 3 1 1 5 
			 Warwickshire 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 
			 West Mercia 1 0 0 0 1 3 2 0 2 1 1 1 
			 West Midlands 5 4 5 2 2 3 6 5 5 4 2 8 
			 West Yorkshire 2 3 5 5 3 3 2 5 4 3 4 5 
			 Wiltshire 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Dyfed-Powys 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 
			 Gwent 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 
			 North Wales 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 
			 South Wales 2 2 0 0 2 0 2 1 2 0 1 2 
			  
			 Total 55 63 64 40 54 58 53 62 72 36 55 76 
		
	
	
		Table 2
		
			 Police force 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997–98 1998–1999 1999–2000 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 0 0 2 1 1 0 4 3 3 3 0 0 
			 Bedfordshire 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 3 
			 Cambridgeshire 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 
			 Cheshire 0 0 3 2 3 0 4 0 0 0 5 0 
			 Cleveland 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 
			 Cumbria 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 
			 Derbyshire 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 2 2 0 1 
			 Devon and Cornwall 0 4 1 0 0 2 0 1 2 0 1 0 
			 Dorset 0 1 0 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Durham 1 0 1 1 2 3 1 0 1 1 0 0 
			 Essex 0 4 0 0 1 1 1 3 1 0 3 0 
			 Gloucestershire 1 0 2 1 3 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 
			 Greater Manchester 5 2 3 4 2 3 3 6 1 1 6 3 
			 Hampshire 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 3 1 1 1 0 
			 Hertfordshire 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 
			 Humberside 1 1 0 2 1 3 2 1 3 2 2 0 
			 Kent 1 1 4 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 
			 Lancashire 3 0 1 2 2 2 0 4 3 2 1 3 
			 Leicestershire 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 
			 Lincolnshire 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 
			 London City of 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Merseyside 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 2 2 2 2 0 
			 Metropolitan Police 6 6 8 3 8 4 8 7 8 10 7 4 
			 Norfolk 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 1 3 0 
			 Northamptonshire 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 
			 Northumbria 1 0 2 3 2 1 1 2 1 1 0 3 
			 North Yorkshire 1 1 0 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 
			 Nottinghamshire 2 1 5 5 2 7 0 0 2 1 0 3 
			 South Yorkshire 1 1 3 1 1 4 5 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Staffordshire 1 2 1 0 1 1 3 1 1 2 5 0 
			 Suffolk 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 1 
			 Surrey 2 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Sussex 2 5 0 3 1 1 0 1 2 3 1 2 
			 Thames Valley 1 2 2 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 2 3 
			 Warwickshire 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 
			 West Mercia 1 1 2 3 3 1 0 0 1 0 2 3 
			 West Midlands 4 5 2 3 2 4 3 7 1 1 4 9 
			 West Yorkshire 0 2 1 1 3 3 4 0 3 2 2 2 
			 Wiltshire 0 2 0 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 
			 Dyfed-Powys 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 
			 Gwent 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North Wales 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 
			 South Wales 2 0 7 1 0 0 2 1 3 3 0 4 
			  
			 Total 44 49 63 51 49 53 52 58 50 45 59 53

Summer Recess (Departmental Publications)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department during the summer recess.

David Blunkett: During the summer recess, my department issued 70 Home Office press notices and eight press notices were issued by the Prison Service.
	All Home Office press releases are placed on its website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk
	There were four Home Office publications.
	1. Code of Practice on Visual Recording of Interviews with Suspects.
	2. Implementation of the EU Driving Disqualification Convention.
	3. Draft Code of Practice on Accessing Communication Data.
	4. Review of Part 1 of the Sex Offenders Act 1997.

Data Retention (Communications Service Providers)

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what types of data are included within the code of practice which his Department is drawing up for data retention by communications service providers.

John Denham: holding answer 26 October 2001
	I will draw up the Code of Practice in consultation with communications service providers and the law enforcement and security and intelligence agencies. The general definition of communications is in Part I, Chapter II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. The types of data within that category that will be covered by the code will be agreed in the course of consultation. That way we can be sure that both sides are clear about the types of data which are retained.

Data Retention (Communications Service Providers)

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has in respect of the retention of communications data by communication service providers; and whether this will be (a) voluntary or (b) mandatory.

John Denham: holding answer 26 October 2001
	I intend to make it clear that communications service providers may retain data for up to 12 months for law enforcement and national security purposes. I will then work with the telecommunications industry to develop a voluntary code of practice on retention of data.

Sussex Police

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers and (b) special constables there were in Sussex in each of the last 10 years.

John Denham: The information is set out in the table.
	
		Sussex police
		
			 Year(16) Police officer strength Special constable strength Civilian support staff strength 
		
		
			 1991 2,969 (17)571 926 
			 1992 2,984 (17)548 951 
			 1993 3,008 (17)512 983 
			 1994 3,009 527 1,013 
			 1995 2,931 511 1,049 
			 1996 3,074 511 1,132 
			 1997 3,085 472 1,149 
			 1998 2,996 442 1,185 
			 1999 2,847 393 1,393 
			 2000 2,822 352 1,328 
			 2001 2,855 306 1,454 
		
	
	(16) As at 31 March
	(17) Special constable numbers for 1991 to 1993 are for 31 December
	In the latter part of the 1990s the chief constable civilianised a significant number of non-operational police posts, which accounts for the fall in police numbers from 1997 to 2000. At the end of August 2001 the force had 2,948 officers. Much of the recent increase reflects the success of the crime fighting fund.

Sussex Police

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 68W, on Sussex police numbers, what are the working-time equivalent numbers for (a) the 2,963 police officers and 1,573 civilian support staff employed by the Sussex constabulary, (b) the 108 additional police officers and 119 additional civilian support staff taken on since March 2001 and (c) the expected 224 new recruits in the current year.

John Denham: holding answer 29 October 2001
	The figures provided by the acting chief constable of Sussex police in the answer of 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 68W, are full-time equivalent numbers for officers and civilian support staff except for the expected new recruits in the current year. The projection for new recruits (224) is actual officer numbers because predictions cannot be made on whether new recruits will be full or part-time officers.

Computer Errors (Exceptional Leave to Remain)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many days in 2001 the Home Office computer system has incorrectly issued permissions for exceptional leave to remain; and how many such permissions were issued.

Angela Eagle: Where appropriate, decisions on exceptional leave to remain are taken by caseworkers after a full consideration of the facts of the asylum application. I am not aware of any exceptional leave to remain decisions being made as a result of computer error.

Asylum Seekers

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) families, (b) single persons and (c) persons of all categories including dependants, received voucher-only support in each of the last six months for which data exist.

Angela Eagle: The table shows the number of asylum seekers, in each of the requested categories, who were receiving voucher-only support as at the end of each of the last six months for which data exist 1 , 2 .
	
		
			 As at end of Families(20) Singles Total (excluding dependants) Total (including dependants) 
		
		
			 February 1,030 8,780 9,810 11,360 
			 March 1,180 10,210 11,400 13,470 
			 April 1,270 11,160 12,430 14,660 
			 May 1,370 12,010 13,380 15,790 
			 June 1,520 13,150 14,670 17,370 
			 July 1,640 13,960 15,600 18,520 
		
	
	(18) Figures have been rounded to the nearest ten. Figures may not sum owing to rounding.
	(19) Cases where support has been ceased are excluded.
	(20) A family, in this context, is defined as any principal applicant with at least one dependant.

Road Traffic Penalties

David Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the responses received to the consultation paper on road traffic penalties.

John Denham: holding answer 26 October 2001
	Officials in the three Departments concerned (Home Office, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and Lord Chancellor's Department) are currently engaged in taking stock of the detailed and comprehensive responses to the Road Traffic Penalties Consultation Paper which was published on 19 December 2000. A considered Government report containing a summary of the responses received and final set of recommendations will be published in the near future.

Prisoners (Drugs)

Gerry Steinberg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners (a) are known to have taken illegal drugs and (b) have tested positive at a later date in each of the last three years; and what percentage the latter represents.

Beverley Hughes: Information on the use of illegal drugs in Prison Service establishments is provided by the random Mandatory Drug Testing (MDT) programme. Information as to how many prisoners tested positive more than once is not held centrally.
	The table sets out the number of random MDT samples which tested positive over the last three full financial years and for this year to 31 August.
	
		
			 Year Number of positive random MDT results Total number of random MDT tests 
		
		
			 1998–1999 11,552 63,209 
			 1999–2000 7,682 54,013 
			 2000–01 6,383 51,474 
			 2001–02(21) 2,594 21,875 
		
	
	(21) Year to 31 August 2001.

Car Theft

Gerry Steinberg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has collated on the proportion of those convicted of car theft who have previous car theft convictions; and what assessment he has made of the consequences of those figures for future policy.

John Denham: Data held centrally do not distinguish car thefts from thefts of any type of motor vehicles.
	An analysis of a sample of offenders sentenced for thefts of motor vehicles in 2000 reveals that 26 per cent. had one or more previous convictions for a similar offence.

Car Theft

Gerry Steinberg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the offending rate for car theft for (a) 14, (b) 15, (c) 16, and (d) 17-year-old (i) males and (ii) females in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

John Denham: Information for 1997, 1998 and 1999 taken from the Home Office's Cautions and Court Proceedings Databases showing the number of persons aged (a) 14, (b) 15, (c) 16 and (d) 17, broken down into (i) males and (ii) females, cautioned by the police or convicted at all courts for: (a) theft of a motor vehicle, (b) aggravated vehicle taking, (c) being carried knowing vehicle to have been taken or driven away, unauthorised taking and carrying away of a motor vehicle (Theft Act Section 12(1) as amended by the Section 37 Criminal Justice Act 1998), per 100,000 population for each age is given in the table.
	Data for 2000 will be available later in the year.
	
		Offenders cautioned or convicted per 100,000 population by offence type, age and gender, England and Wales 1997–99
		
			 Offence type and gender 1997 1998 1999 
		
		
			 Theft of a motor vehicle
			 Males
			 Age 14 57 52 59 
			 Age 15 87 73 75 
			 Age 16 86 79 82 
			 Age 17 82 66 72 
			 Females
			 Age 14 3 2 3 
			 Age 15 4 3 6 
			 Age 16 5 5 5 
			 Age 17 4 5 6 
			 Aggravated vehicle taking
			 Males
			 Age 14 100 101 133 
			 Age 15 193 206 224 
			 Age 16 287 299 290 
			 Age 17 346 319 327 
			 Females
			 Age 14 5 11 10 
			 Age 15 18 18 21 
			 Age 16 20 17 29 
			 Age 17 17 22 21 
			 Unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle(22)
			 Males
			 Age 14 221 252 302 
			 Age 15 379 420 431 
			 Age 16 465 474 518 
			 Age 17 445 433 472 
			 Females
			 Age 14 27 25 29 
			 Age 15 41 43 52 
			 Age 16 43 51 50 
			 Age 17 35 41 41 
			 Total
			 Males
			 Age 14 378 405 495 
			 Age 15 659 621 730 
			 Age 16 838 852 890 
			 Age 17 872 818 870 
			 Females
			 Age 14 35 38 43 
			 Age 15 63 65 79 
			 Age 16 68 73 83 
			 Age 17 57 73 68 
		
	
	(22) Including offences of "being carried knowing vehicle to have been taken or driven away"

Police Recruitment

Gerry Steinberg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost of recruiting, training and equipping a police officer is.

John Denham: The recruitment of police officers is the responsibility of the Chief Officer of each force. No central records are kept of the overall cost of recruiting, training and equipping a police officer.
	When rates of payment to be made under the Crime Fighting Fund in 2000–01 were agreed with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police Authorities, £1,000 was included for recruitment and £7,000 for the initial residential training for each new recruit. In 2001–02 the payment for recruitment has been up-rated to £1,030 per recruit.

Parole

Gerry Steinberg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in the UK were granted parole in the last three years.

Beverley Hughes: The number of prisoners released on parole in the last three years is:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1998–99 2,383 
			 1999–2000 2,561 
			 2000–01 2,584

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Climate Change

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress of the climate change negotiations.

Michael Meacher: Political agreement was reached between 177 countries on the implementation of the Kyoto protocol at the resumed Sixth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bonn in July. This was a significant political achievement.
	The Seventh Conference of the Parties is now taking place in Marrakesh (29 October-9 November). Our aim will be to complete the task of converting the Bonn agreement into detailed decisions. We should not underestimate the scale of this task, but I am optimistic agreement should be possible. It is vital that we maintain political momentum and the spirit of co-operation that was evident in Bonn. We hope that agreement in Marrakesh will pave the way for ratification and entry into force of the Kyoto protocol by the World Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2002.

Climate Change

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what new initiatives she plans to assist British compliance with commitments under the Kyoto protocol.

Michael Meacher: The UK's climate change programme, published in November 2000, sets out details of the policies and measures that the Government are introducing to meet the UK's target under the Kyoto protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2008–12 and to move towards our domestic goal to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. We estimate that these policies could reduce emissions by 23 per cent. by 2010. This is substantially beyond our Kyoto target.
	The Government have been making progress with implementing the policies outlined in the programme. The UK's Third National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was published on 30 October, provides an update of this progress. Copies of the Communication will be placed in the Library of each House.

Foot and Mouth

Paul Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what improvements in the co-ordination of rural policy and departmental operation have been achieved since the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Alun Michael: Major benefits are expected to flow from bringing together responsibilities for farming and food, environment and conservation and the rural affairs portfolio within one Department, although the benefits—both policy and operational—will be realised gradually. On foot and mouth disease, there was already close joint working between Departments, via the Cabinet Office co-ordination machinery and via the rural task force, which brought together both Departments involved and external stakeholders. The establishment of DEFRA has offered scope for further integration. Great efforts are being made to establish a new culture within the Department, with clear aims and objectives through a process in which stakeholders and staff at every level have been involved. We are also seeking to develop close partnerships as a way of working within the new Department, across Whitehall and with partners at a regional and local level throughout England as well as on the international stage. The new Department has created a post at Board level to bring together general weight of DEFRA field delivery as a whole.

Foot and Mouth

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what restrictions will apply to the provision of grants to rural businesses as part of the extension of the Business Recovery Fund announced on 18 October;
	(2)  what the deadline for grant applications is under the Business Recovery Fund announced on 18 October.

Alun Michael: holding answer 25 October 2001
	Regional development agencies have played a crucial role in responding to the needs of businesses affected by foot and mouth disease. I am grateful to them for their positive response to the challenges and the high degree of co-operation we have received from them in recent months. As with earlier tranches of money, it will be for the individual regional development agency to decide on the best way to allocate the Business Recovery Fund (BRF) in its region and to set the deadline for applications according to local circumstances. Regional development agencies must ensure that grants are consistent with the European Commission's state aids rules as well as the guidance issued by this Department. A copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House when published.

Foot and Mouth

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what statistical information she has collated on the impact foot and mouth disease has had on (a) farm incomes and (b) output.

Elliot Morley: The Department is very much aware that the outbreak has had a considerable impact on farming and a range of industries throughout the UK. DEFRA is currently working with a number of other Government Departments to estimate the economic impact of the outbreak and the results of this work will be made publicly available.
	In addition, an estimate of total income from farming (TIFF) for 2001 will be published on 29 November 2001. This will include the effects of foot and mouth disease and other factors that have affected income in 2001.

Foot and Mouth

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many contracts have been concluded between her Department and farms infected by foot and mouth near Thirsk for the cleansing of their premises.

Elliot Morley: The Department has now agreed 59 contracts, with 54 farmers and five contractors in the Thirsk area, for the cleansing and disinfection of premises affected by foot and mouth disease.

Foot and Mouth

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many animals were slaughtered as a result of foot and mouth disease, broken down by those from infected farms and those culled for protective purposes, weekly since March.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 24 October 2001
	The Animal Health Act 1981 provides the powers to require the slaughter of any animals affected with foot and mouth disease (FMD), suspected of being affected, which are or have been in contact with affected animals or have been exposed to the infection of FMD.
	The following table sets out the breakdown of the number of animals slaughtered by Infected Premises (IPs), Dangerous Contacts (DCs), and Slaughtered on Suspicion (SOSs) by week.
	
		
			 Week ending IPs DCs SOSs 
		
		
			 2001
			 25 February 2,094 817 653 
			 4 March 31,851 7,525 0 
			 11 March 65,846 11,946 0 
			 18 March 104,513 41,093 0 
			 25 March 165,748 124,876 0 
			 1 April 234,986 244,347 11,242 
			 8 April 234,986 244,347 11,242 
			 15 April 107,204 466,970 20,390 
			 22 April 65,359 339,171 17,241 
			 29 April 56,029 166,125 17,966 
			 6 May 31,059 73,882 8,112 
			 13 May 15,025 36,743 9,985 
			 20 May 18,655 43,590 940 
			 27 May 25,572 67,021 4,712 
			 3 June 23,738 48,482 171 
			 10 June 12,552 46,270 2,283 
			 17 June 25,855 42,333 954 
			 24 June 13,291 39,888 2,098 
			 1 July 11,030 17,107 471 
			 8 July 19,546 30,539 1,072 
			 15 July 11,310 26,693 666 
			 22 July 11,303 24,354 44 
			 29 July 12,995 15,494 1,612 
			 5 August 21,215 24,102 496 
			 12 August 9,928 16,700 689 
			 19 August 8,996 14,355 829 
			 26 August 7,020 4,005 0 
			 2 September 11,152 27,887 0 
			 9 September 14,696 23,295 1,145 
			 16 September 3,584 9,772 380 
			 23 September 1,840 8,905 117 
			 30 September 2,122 3,890 1,250 
			 7 October 0 183 80 
			 14 October 166 1,914 0 
			 21 October 0 387 324 
			  
			 Grand total 1,316,704 2,473,669 126,183 
		
	
	The grand total for dangerous contacts is believed to be a slight underestimate of the true figure. These figures may be subject to change as quality assurance of the data is carried out.

Foot and Mouth

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason blood tests requested by her Department in July on 22 farms in north Somerset were delayed until October.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 15 October 2001
	DEFRA Head Office gives permission for local Animal Health Offices (AHOs) to start blood testing (serosurveillance) around former infected premises but it is left to the local AHO to decide on its priorities for sampling based on a number of factors. In the case of north Somerset, the AHO is also responsible for Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
	The blood tests are part of the extensive on-going programme of testing sheep flocks inside foot and mouth disease protection and surveillance zones and so far over 1.1 million samples have been taken across the country. The 22 farms in north Somerset fell within a surveillance zone straddling the borders of two testing regions. Those in the Somerset part of the zone were sampled in advance of those in north Somerset.

Foot and Mouth

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the reasons were for the change in Government policy on the criteria for classifying outbreaks of foot and mouth disease that came into effect in April.

Elliot Morley: Our policy for confirming an outbreak of foot and mouth has not changed. There are, however, a number of different scenarios which would lead to animals being slaughtered to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease;
	Infected premises
	Where foot and mouth disease has been confirmed on the basis of clinical findings by a veterinary surgeon or positive laboratory tests or both.
	Dangerous contacts
	Premises where it is believed that animals have been exposed to foot and mouth disease infection by virtue of a known contact with infected animals or by contact through movements of vehicles, persons or things believed to be contaminated with virus.
	Contiguous premises
	A category of dangerous contacts where animals are believed to have been exposed to infection because of their proximity to a neighbouring infected premises.
	Slaughter on suspicion
	Premises where on veterinary examination there are insufficient grounds to confirm disease but where there are clinical signs that cannot exclude the possibility of disease being present. Animals are culled and samples taken to confirm the presence/absence of disease. Cases giving positive results or those that are subsequently confirmed on clinical grounds, are classified as infected premises.

Live Animal Exports

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will propose changes to EU law to allow the banning of export of live animals;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on the Government's policy in respect of the exporting of meat instead of live animals.

Elliot Morley: The June Agriculture Council unanimously adopted a resolution instructing the European Commission to bring forward early proposals for changes to the current rules on the welfare of animals during transport. This debate on the proposals will provide an opportunity to discuss the options for reducing the number and duration of long-distance journeys of farm animals to slaughter. Our preference is for a trade in meat rather than the long distance transport of animals for slaughter.
	We recognise the need for the discussion to include economic and animal health implications.

Flood Defences

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money has been allocated to the Greater London flood defences by her Department in each of the last three years.

Elliot Morley: This Department provides grants for flood defence capital works that satisfy essential criteria but responsibility for all expenditure on flood defences rests with operating authorities, such as the Environment Agency and local authorities. The Environment Agency estimates that its flood defence expenditure in Greater London in the last three years was as follows:
	
		£ million 
		
			  1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Capital 7.0 8.0 8.0 
			 Operational 26.6 32.0 29.4 
			 Other 4.9 4.8 4.6 
			  
			 Total 38.5 44.8 42.0

Flood Defences

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what plans she has to undertake a review of responsibility for flood defence management and funding; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  when she expects to publish the findings of her review of flood and coastal defence funding.

Elliot Morley: The purpose of the review of flood and coastal defence funding arrangements was to ensure that funds were appropriately sourced and targeted, and delivered effectively and efficiently. Funding and institutional arrangements are inextricably linked. In addition to researching funding options and prioritisation, the review has gone on to consider whether current institutional arrangements were fit for purpose. The conclusions of the review are expected to be published later this autumn. The Government are satisfied that the outcome of this review, and other on-going reviews relating to flood management, will contribute substantially to ensuring a focused, integrated, efficient and effective service.

Flood Defences

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the additional annual investment that would be required to ensure all flood defences in England and Wales are classified by the National Audit Office as being at least in good condition.

Elliot Morley: The National Audit Office's March 2001 report on inland flood defences includes condition ratings for flood defences made by the Environment Agency. These data form part of the input for two recent research projects on the "National Appraisal of Assets at Risk from Flooding" which were commissioned by this Department; the most recent report of this research was published in September. It suggests that investment in capital and maintenance would need to be increased from current levels by between £110 million and £120 million a year to maintain current standards of defence, with a further £30 million a year to improve to indicative standards.

Hunting

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent studies of foot and mouth disease risks surrounding fox hunting she has commissioned.

Alun Michael: holding answer 25 October 2001
	A veterinary risk assessment regarding the possible relaxation of the foot and mouth disease controls over hunting with dogs in England and Wales has been carried out by the State Veterinary Service and is currently being considered by Ministers. Hunting with dogs takes a variety of forms all of which pose different levels of risk, and therefore require different levels of risk management measures. The assessment will shortly be published on the DEFRA website http:/www.defra.gov.uk/ and copies will be made available in the Library of each House.

Hunting

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to publish the results of the risk assessment in relation to hunting with dogs in areas free of foot and mouth disease; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: holding answer 18 October 2001
	The veterinary risk assessment regarding the possible resumption of hunting with dogs is currently being considered by Ministers. It takes account of the varying degrees of risk in different parts of the country. Hunting with dogs takes a variety of forms all of which pose different levels of risk and therefore require different levels of risk management measures. In the context of the Government's clear commitment to do everything possible to prevent future outbreaks of foot and mouth disease, this needs careful consideration. We hope to be able to reach a decision and will publish the veterinary risk assessment on which our decisions will be based.

Milk Task Force

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the work of the Milk Task Force; and when she expects it to publish its report.

Elliot Morley: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath) on 16 October 2001, Official Report, column 1219W.

Local Food Production

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what reports on local food production and sale she has received; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: There have been a number of recent reports which have made reference to production and/or marketing of local foods including the report of the rural task force, which I chair, and the report by Lord Haskins on rural recovery after foot and mouth disease. We are currently considering our response to the recommendations of the rural task force report and the Haskins report and we will respond shortly.

Environment Agency (Somerset)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will increase the budget of the Environment Agency in Somerset.

Elliot Morley: Allocations for the environmental protection work performed by the Environment Agency are made on a national basis, and not by county. On flood defence, I have recently announced the allocations to flood and coastal defence operating authorities for 2002–03. The capital allocation, on which we are prepared to pay grant, for the Environment Agency in Somerset is £4.4 million (compared with £2.5 million in 2001–02). The rate of grant has been increased by 10 per cent. to 75 per cent.

Coffee Prices

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with (a) other UK Government Departments and (b) her EU counterparts regarding the effect of coffee prices on developing countries; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 26 October 2001
	The UK recognises that the coffee market is experiencing record low prices and remains committed to poverty reduction in developing countries.
	The UK, like other EU member states and the European Commission, is a member of the International Coffee Organisation. At the 85th meeting of its governing body, the International Coffee Council, on 25–28 September 2001, the Council resolved to establish a Quality Committee to facilitate measures for the withdrawal from the market of defective beans and those with a moisture content above a certain level. This will provide practical advice and support to a resolution by producers aimed at reducing the total amount of low-grade coffee beans on the world market. The beans would not be stockpiled but either destroyed or diverted to other purposes such as cosmetics, animal feed or fuel.

Forests

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total acreage of forest in the UK is.

Elliot Morley: There are 2.8 million hectares of woodland in the United Kingdom.

Forests

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much land was planted into forest in the UK during 2000.

Elliot Morley: 18,800 hectares of new forests were planted in the United Kingdom in the year ended 31 March 2001.

Livestock

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) cows, (b) sheep and (c) pigs there were in the UK on 1 October.

Elliot Morley: Figures are collected in June in the Annual Agricultural and Horticultural Census by the relevant UK Departments.
	
		As at June 2001
		
			Thousand  
			  Total cattle and calves Total sheep and lamb Total pigs 
		
		
			 England 5,749 16,140 4,823 
			 Wales 1,271 9,976 41 
			 Scotland 1,903 8,090 596 
			 Northern Ireland 1,677 2,574 398 
			  
			 UK 10,600 36,780 5,858 
		
	
	Note:
	Wales and Northern Ireland figures are provisional
	Source:
	June 2001 agricultural and horticultural census

Agrimonetary Compensation

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she intends to apply to pay optional agrimonetary compensation to the arable sector.

Elliot Morley: We have considered the case for payment of optional agrimonetary compensation to the arable sector. While we acknowledge the difficulties that the sector is facing, we have decided not to draw down these funds given the many competing demands on the Exchequer at present, not least the cost of eradicating foot and mouth disease. The arable sector will, however, receive £28 million in compulsory agrimonetary compensation this autumn.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Summer Recess

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department during the summer recess.

Jane Kennedy: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland's Press Office issued 48 press notices including one with a consultation document.

HEALTH

Sexual Offences

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce new legislation on sexual offences further to protect mentally handicapped victims.

John Denham: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health.
	Responsibility for the current review of legislation relating to sex offences rests with the Home Department.
	When the Government set up the Sex Offences Review in January 1999, its terms of reference included
	"to provide coherent clear sex offences which protect individuals, especially children and the more vulnerable, from abuse and exploitation."
	The recommendations of the Sex Offences Review to Government on reforming the law on sex offences were published in 'Setting the Boundaries' in July 2000. We are considering how to change all existing sex offences in the light of over 700 responses to that consultation document, including how to deal with sex offences against those with learning disabilities, and will be bringing forward legislation in due course.

Cardiac Surgery (Jarrow)

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cardiac surgical operations have been carried out on people in the Jarrow constituency in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: As data are not available at constituency level, the information in the table has been supplied for health authority area of residence.
	The figures show the number of finished consultant episodes for heart operations which took place in national health service hospitals in England in the years 1995–96 to 1999–2000.
	
		Heart operations -- Finished consultant episodes for patients treated in NHS hospitals in England and resident in Gateshead and South Tyneside HA or Newcastle and North Tyneside HA 1995–96 to 1999–2000
		
			  Gateshead and South Tyneside Newcastle and North Tyneside 
		
		
			 1995–96   
			 CABG 174 262 
			 PTCA 67 174 
			 Other heart ops 805 1,245 
			  
			 Total 1,046 1,681 
			
			 1996–97   
			 CABG 194 284 
			 PTCA 119 134 
			 Other heart ops 879 1,287 
			  
			 Total 1,192 1,705 
			
			 1997–98   
			 CABG 231 281 
			 PTCA 83 123 
			 Other heart ops 1,164 1,480 
			  
			 Total 1,478 1,884 
			
			 1998–99   
			 CABG 242 297 
			 PTCA 99 138 
			 Other heart ops 1,031 1,530 
			  
			 Total 1,372 1,965 
			
			 1999–2000   
			 CABG 199 263 
			 PTCA 120 197 
			 Other heart ops 1,124 1,576 
			  
			 Total 1,443 2,036 
		
	
	Notes:
	An FCE is defined as a period of patient care under one consultant in one health care provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as one person may have several episodes within the year.
	Operation codes (OPCS4R) used are as follows:
	Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)-K40–46.
	Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)-KA49–50.
	Other heart ops-K01–39, K47–48, K51–71.
	Figures in this table have not yet been adjusted for shortfalls in data.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). Department of Health

NHS Costs

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of the NHS to the average family was in 2000–01; and what it is forecast to be in 2001–02.

John Hutton: The Department produces figures on national health service expenditure per head of population. Public expenditure on the NHS in England is expected to be around £890 per head of population in 2000–01, rising to £970 in 2001–02.

Occupancy Rates

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the occupancy rates for each NHS hospital trust in (a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000 and (c) 2000–01.

John Hutton: Bed data, including occupancy rates, are available in the annual publication 'Bed availability and occupancy—England: Each Financial Year to 1999–2000', copies of which are available in the Library. Alternatively, information can be downloaded from the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity.

Whittington Hospital

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what details of the PFI proposals for the Whittington hospital will be published; and if he will publish his assessment of (a) its cost and (b) the cost of direct departmental funding.

John Hutton: holding answer 30 October 2001
	Details of the private finance initiative proposals for the Whittington hospital project will be published by the Whittington Hospital National Health Service Trust one month after final approval has been given and the funding route for the project agreed. Under our code of openness, the trust's full business case will be made publicly available and will include full details of the cost of the PFI proposals and the publicly funded alternative.

Mental Health Services

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new graduate primary care mental health workers (a) have been employed and (b) will be employed in (i) the current financial year, (ii) 2002–03 and (iii) 2003–04.

Jacqui Smith: The proposal to develop 1,000 new mental health workers in primary care outlined in the NHS Plan forms part of a package of measures designed to strengthen primary mental health care. The new graduate primary care workers will be employed in the financial year 2003–04.

TREASURY

Debt Write-off (Government Companies)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the granting of requests for debt write-offs by national and local government and wholly- owned companies of the Government; how many such debt write-offs have been agreed since 1996–97; and which Minister gave approval to such write-offs in each case.

Andrew Smith: The Treasury expects all public bodies to have appropriate systems to manage their finances within the funds available and to take a prudent approach to the raising and financing of debt. While Treasury approval is generally required for write-offs, the final decision in individual cases rests with the relevant Secretary of State. The decision to remit lending will of course depend on the particular circumstances of the case.
	Departments are responsible for accounting for all loans, including write-offs. In the case of loans from the National Loans Fund, primary legislation is required before any loan can be written off. In the case of lending financed by Departments, all other write-offs must be recorded in the accounts of the leading department and any remission of voted lending above £20 million is reported to Parliament by way of a Treasury Minute.

Pensioners

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer further to the answer to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) of 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 1034W, if he will publish his estimate of the proportion of people of pension age in each local authority area.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. David Laws, dated October 2001
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your question concerning the proportion of people of pension age in each local authority area. I am replying in his absence. (10700)
	The requested information for local authority areas in England and Wales for the latest available year is provided in the attached table 1 .
	1 The relevant table has been deposited in the Library.

Special Advisers

Mark Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the record kept under clause 9 of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers of contacts between his special advisers and the news media since July.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 18 October 2001
	All civil servants, including special advisers, are expected to keep departmental Heads of Information informed of contacts with the media. Details of such contacts are for internal purposes only.

National Insurance and Tax

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what his estimate is of the annual revenue which would be raised by (a) raising the employee national insurance rate by 1 per cent., (b) raising the upper earnings limit of employee national insurance contributions to the starting level for paying the upper rate of income tax and (c) restricting the value of the personal income tax allowance to the basic rate of tax;
	(2)  what his estimate is of the yield to the Exchequer from (a) the 10 per cent. rate of income tax, (b) the 20 per cent. rate of income tax, (c) the 22 per cent. rate of income tax, and (d) the 40 per cent. rate of income tax in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 25 October 2001
	The full-year effect of raising the upper earnings limit to the higher rate threshold is estimated to yield £750 million. This estimate was provided by the Government Actuary's Department.
	The full-year effect of restricting the personal allowance to the basic rate of income tax is estimated to yield around £3 billion in 2002–03. This estimate is based on the Survey of Personal Incomes.
	For the other questions, I refer the hon. Member to "Inland Revenue Statistics", tables 1.6 and 2.5, available in the Library of the House. The latest data on Inland Revenue Statistics can also be accessed on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats.

Hypothecated Health Tax

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to introduce a hypothecated health tax to finance the national health service; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government have made their commitment to increasing resources over the next three years for the NHS, funded from general taxation and linked to reform. Decisions on taxation and spending will be taken in the Budget and Spending Review, respectively, next year.

Alcohol and Tobacco Smuggling

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the revenue value of detected alcohol and tobacco fraud and smuggling was for the financial year 2000–01.

Paul Boateng: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The revenue value of detected alcohol and tobacco smuggling will be published in the Customs and Excise Annual Report for 2000–01.

Income and Corporation Taxes Act

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the schemes under section 590 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 the Inland Revenue has approved which relate to retirement ages.

Dawn Primarolo: Approximately 200 schemes have received Inland Revenue approval under section 590 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. The identity of individual schemes is protected by obligations of taxpayer confidentiality.

Children's Tax Credit

Tony Clarke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Northampton have received the Children's Tax Credit since its introduction on 6 April.

Dawn Primarolo: Information about the Children's Tax Credit is not available by constituency. However, the number of families who are eligible for CTC in the east midlands is estimated to be 400,000.

Consolidated EU Tax

Richard Spring: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the proposal by the European Commission for a single consolidated tax base; and what plans he has to discuss these proposals with his EU counterparts.

Dawn Primarolo: Tax harmonisation, including proposals for a consolidated company tax base, is not the way forward for Europe. The Government will not support any action at European level that will threaten jobs or the competitive position of British business.

Departmental Spending

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answers of 15 October 2001, Official Report, columns 854W-56W, if he will distinguish between total managed expenditure for 1999–2000 in United Kingdom Department programmes comparable with programmes covered by the Barnett formula in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and total managed expenditure in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in programmes not compared for the purposes of the Barnett formula.

Andrew Smith: Separate figures are not published for the English equivalent of devolved programmes. Furthermore, it is for the devolved administrators to allocate funding to programmes within their block allocations. However, the Statement of Funding Policy published by the Treasury in July 2000 set out the Barnett formula including the comparability factors used in the formula and information on which elements of the devolved administrations' budgets are determined by the Barnett formula. Data for 1999–2000 relating to DEL expenditure are given in table 1.17 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses published in April 2001.
	Other elements of UK Departmental spending programmes are treated as Annually Managed Expenditure. Details of AME spend are shown in Table 1.16 of PESA.

Delivered Administrations

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 838W, what is the degree of convergence already achieved between expenditure by the devolved Administrations and their predecessor Departments, covered by the Barnett formula comparable to UK Department programmes since 1996–97; and what changes there have been in the composition of those comparable programmes since 1996–97.

Andrew Smith: Separate figures are not published for the English equivalents of devolved programmes. However information on identifiable total managed expenditure per head by country including years since 1996–97 was published in Chapter 8 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses in April 2001. Details of the Barnett formula were published in the Statement of Funding Policy published in March 1999.

Taxation (Fines)

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was raised for HM Treasury through fines imposed by (a) HM Customs and Excise and (b) the Inland Revenue for (i) late completion of tax forms and (ii) late payment of tax owed in the last 10 financial years.

Dawn Primarolo: The tables show the revenue raised by Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise from late filing penalties on tax forms and late payment surcharges over the last ten years. The Inland Revenue accounts for its receipts in accounts years running from November to October.
	The penalty figures are for Income Tax (including Pay- As-You-Earn), Self Assessment (from 1998), Company Tax (from 1991), Company Tax Pay and File (from 1995), Company Tax Self Assessment (from 2000) and Capital Gains Tax. The main impacts on penalty receipts were the introduction of:
	CTPF penalties, increasing receipts from Accounts 95 and 96 onwards
	PAYE end of year penalties, increasing receipts from Accounts 95 and 96 onwards
	SA penalties, increasing receipts from Accounts 98 onwards.
	Self Assessment is the only Revenue tax that has a surcharge, so receipts began after its introduction in 1996–97.
	
		Inland Revenue
		
			   £  
			 Accounts year (i) Penalties paid  (ii) Surcharge paid  
		
		
			 1991 1,032,000 — 
			 1992 1,362,000 — 
			 1993 1,488,000 — 
			 1994 1,936,000 — 
			 1995 5,511,000 — 
			 1996 15,288,000 — 
			 1997 20,840,000 — 
			 1998 42,193,000 9,480,000 
			 1999 56,338,000 36,527,000 
			 2000 63,438,000 50,943,000 
			  
			 Total 209,426,000 96,950,000 
		
	
	
		Customs and Excise
		
			  £  
			 Financial year ending March Value added tax Excise  Insurance premium tax  Air passenger duty Landfill tax  
		
		
			 1992 93,000,000   
			 1993 96,000,000   
			 1994 83,000,000 not available  
			 1995 70,000,000   
			 1996 73,000,000  From the outset of each tax  
			 1997 73,000,000   
			 1998 77,000,000 40,769  
			 1999 80,000,000 14,554  
			 2000 82,000,000 15,426  
			 2001 87,000,000 39,510  
			   
			 Total 814,000,000 110,259 330,491 563,390 1,621,684

Climate Change Levy

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the forecast is for (a) the total charges made under the climate change levy and (b) the amount within this total which is attributable to sales of (i) electricity and (ii) electricity from nuclear sources.

Paul Boateng: Climate change levy is forecast to raise £1 billion in its first year, 68 per cent. of which is expected to come from supplies of electricity. 23 per cent. of electricity production is nuclear.
	All CCL revenue will be recycled to business. The levy is designed to be revenue neutral for the private sector as a whole, and is expected to be broadly neutral between the manufacturing and service sectors. CCL revenue is funding a 0.3 per cent. cut in the employers' rate of National Insurance contributions, and £150 million of additional support for energy efficient measures.

Market-sensitive Information

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the guidelines on the timing of release of market-sensitive information contained in decisions by Government Departments.

Ruth Kelly: Guidelines on the release of market- sensitive information contained in decisions by Government Departments are contained in the Government Information and Communication Service (GICS) Handbook published by the GICS Development Centre in the Cabinet Office.

Ministerial Meetings

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library details of meetings between Ministers in his Department and outside groups since 7 June in the form specified in paragraph 63 of the July 2001 Code of Conduct and Guidance on Procedures for Ministers.

Ruth Kelly: Treasury Ministers meet a wide range of individuals and organisations in carrying out their official duties. The arrangements for all such meetings are fully in accordance with the Ministerial Code.

Compliance Costs Research Programme

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on (a) the progress and (b) expected timescale of the Inland Revenue and Customs Joint Compliance Costs Research Programme.

Dawn Primarolo: Last year, the Inland Revenue and Customs embarked on a research programme to measure the compliance cost of tax. The programme is expected to run for four years and will cover all direct and indirect taxes. Two contracts were awarded in September 2000 to undertake the first studies in the research programme. I have not seen the report so I cannot comment on the progress as yet.

Office for National Statistics

Barbara Follett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Office for National Statistics performed against its key targets in 2000–01.

Ruth Kelly: The Office for National Statistics' performance is set out in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts which is being laid before Parliament today.

WORK AND PENSIONS

War Pensions

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what clarification was given on 24 November 2000 by DSS officials to representatives of the Association of British Civilian Internees Far East Region on the interpretation of which category of claimant could count as British in order to qualify for the ex gratia claims announced on 7 November 2000, following a meeting on 15 November between the DSS, the War Pensions Agency and other interested organisations.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 30 October 2001
	I have been asked to reply.
	Through the latter part of November 2000, DSS officials were talking to representatives of ex-service organisations on a daily basis.
	While there is no specific record of contact with the Association of British Civilian Internees Far East Region on 24 November 2000, the advice being given at that time was that to be eligible for the ex-gratia payment civilian claimants must have been British at the time of internment.

Benefit Fraud (Highland District Council)

Khalid Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Highland district council.

Malcolm Wicks: The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report was published today in respect of Highland district council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.
	Inspectors found that despite covering the largest geographical area of any council in the UK, the council was effective at promoting the take-up of benefit and provided access to advice on HB and CTB through a number of local outlets.
	Although benefit claims were processed on time, inspectors consider the council's claim form was poor and its approach to verification was inconsistent, resulting in serious implications for the security of the benefits gateway. The report notes the council intended to phase in the Verification Framework from April 2001 and also agreed to revise its claim form.
	Inspectors consider one of the underlying problems was the council's failure to manage benefits, particularly the lack of a senior manager with direct responsibility for HB and CTB. The report notes that addressing this failure is fundamental to facilitating improvements and successfully implementing BFI's recommendations.
	Inspectors found limited counter-fraud activity, with no procedures in place with the procurator fiscal to effectively pursue prosecutions nor to offer administrative penalties. Insufficient staff were allocated to the counter-fraud team. Investigation work was in arrears and some investigations had not been fully completed. BFI considers one third of the council's Weekly Benefit Savings claims were incorrect.
	The report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as its counter-fraud activities.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

Department of Social Security

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to phase out references to the Department of Social Security (a) on printed materials and (b) on the internet.

Nick Brown: References to the former Department of Social Security are being replaced on printer materials when a reprint becomes due, to avoid unnecessary wastage and costs.
	All the Department's internet sites are in the process of being updated with the new corporate identity. Former DSS sites will be maintained for a period of time in order to redirect users to the new site.

Disability Discrimination Act

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to advise small businesses of their present and future obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as amended.

Maria Eagle: Our "See the Person" national disability advertising campaign in 1999 and "What have you got to offer?" in autumn 2000 encouraged small businesses to consider reasonable adjustments to improve access for disabled people. A further campaign is planned for early next year.
	We continue to work with partners such as the Small Business Service, the DRC and Equality Direct to identify advice and information that meets business needs.
	There are also Codes of Practice available giving practical advice to employers, service providers and trade organisations about how to meet their duties under the DDA and a range of free, explanatory leaflets.

National Insurance Numbers

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the number of (a) bogus and (b) surplus national insurance numbers.

Malcolm Wicks: To date, 2,009 applications made for NINOs have been made using false identity documentation.
	Duplicate NINOs are removed from the DCI as and when they are identified. Where it is discovered that a customer has two NINOs, one is deleted and this is noted on the remaining account. These cases are generally spotted by field officers and rarely involve fraudulent activity. Of the 205,000 surplus duplicate records removed from the DCI between November 1995 and March 2001, only 10 cases were potentially fraudulent.

Stakeholder Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of companies under the regulations introduced on 8 October that (a) are obliged to provide and (b) have so far failed to offer access to a stakeholder scheme.

Ian McCartney: The latest estimate of the number of employers obliged to provide employees with access to a stakeholder pension scheme is between 350,000 and 400,000. By the end of August 2001, pensions industry figures showed 146,950 employers had designated a scheme. Figures showing designations since then are not yet available.

Stakeholder Pensions

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements he is making to monitor employers' compliance with their obligation to designate stakeholder pension schemes.

Ian McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Mr. Lilley) on 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 180W.

Stakeholder Pensions

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what avenues of redress are available to individual employees where their employer has failed to meet the deadline for designation of a stakeholder pension scheme.

Ian McCartney: An employee who considers that their employer should have provided staff access to a stakeholder pension scheme but has not done so may raise the matter directly with their employer or through their trade union official or other recognised staff representative. Should this not resolve the issue the matter may then be reported to the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra) who will investigate.

Child Support Maintenance

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment framework is employed by the Child Support Agency to decide the level of a working non- resident parent's child maintenance contributions.

Malcolm Wicks: Currently, the amount of child maintenance a non-resident parent is required to pay is calculated in accordance with a formula set out in the Child Support Act 1991 and the Maintenance Assessment and Special Cases Regulations. The formula takes account of both parents' ability to maintain their children. Both parents' incomes and essential living expenses are considered and it can take up to 100 pieces of information to assess maintenance.
	From April 2002, a much simpler maintenance calculation will be used, based on percentage rates of the non-resident parent's net income (15 per cent. for one child, 20 per cent. for two children and 25 per cent. for three or more children). The rates will be reduced for non-resident parents on low incomes, for those who share the care of qualifying children and for those with children (including stepchildren) in a second family.

Child Support Maintenance

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if existing cases will be given priority in the implementation of the Child Support Agency reforms.

Malcolm Wicks: Changes to the child support scheme will take effect for new cases from April 2002. Existing cases will be transferred to the new scheme as soon as we are confident that it is working well for new cases.

Fraud Buster Computer System

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the Fraud Buster computer system.

Malcolm Wicks: Over the three years 2001 to 2004, we are investing £2 billion in transforming the delivery of services to make better use of technology and reduce the amount of fraud and error in the system. We are tightening up the benefit system and making sure that from the very first claim, the right benefits are going to the right people. However, the Department does not have a system known as "the Fraud Buster computer system".

Pension Provision Group

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Government will publish the revised reports from the Pension Provision Group on (a) pension provision for self-employed people and (b) the impact on pensions of changes in the labour market.

Ian McCartney: The reports will be ready for publication later in the year.

Housing Benefit Fraud

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the level of housing benefit fraud.

Malcolm Wicks: The latest estimate for the monetary value of fraud and error in housing benefit was published in the report "National Housing Benefit Accuracy Review 97/98" which is in the Library. In April this year we set up the housing benefit review which will deliver an on-going measurement of fraud and error in housing benefit.

Preserved Rights (Residential Homes)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 834W, on preserved rights, what estimate he has made of the number of residents ordinarily resident in each local authority (a) in nursing homes aged (i) under 65 and (ii) over 65 and (b) in residential care homes aged (1) under 65 and (2) over 65 as at (A) 1 April 2001, (B) 2002 and (C) 2003.

Ian McCartney: We have recently surveyed local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales and have estimated the number of preserved rights residents for which each local authority will become responsible on 8 April 2002. The estimates cross-classify residents by age and type of home. The information has been placed in the Library and is also available on the Department of Health website.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Magistrates (Leeds)

Colin Challen: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates in the Leeds district currently serve on the present petty sessional area benches; and for each of those PSA benches how many reside in the areas served by those benches.

Michael Wills: The Advisory Committee has provided the figures requested on the numbers of magistrates on the four benches covered by the Leeds Advisory Committee. They are set out in the table. By statute, magistrates must live in the commission area in which they serve or within 15 miles of its boundaries. There is no requirement for them to live in the petty sessional area to which they are assigned.
	
		Number of magistrates in the Leeds area
		
			 Petty sessional area Number of magistrates Number living within the petty sessional area 
		
		
			 Leeds 309 204 
			 Morley 22 20 
			 Pudsey and Otley 33 31 
			 Skyrack and Wetherby 48 41 
			  
			 Total 412 296

Jury Rooms (Smoking Ban)

Angela Browning: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will (a) introduce and (b) enforce a smoking ban in jury rooms within the Courts Service.

Michael Wills: Court managers currently have the discretion to introduce a non-smoking policy in communal jury areas wherever the accommodation allows for a separate, well-ventilated smoking area to be provided nearby.
	Jury retiring rooms are used whenever a jury is considering a verdict. During this time jurors are not allowed to come into contact with anyone outside the retiring room and resource constraints mean it is not always possible to provide a separate dedicated smoking facility for each retiring room, although smokers are asked to consider the comfort of their fellow jurors while in the retiring rooms. The often stressful nature of deliberation means that it is neither feasible to introduce nor possible to enforce a ban in these rooms.
	There are currently no proposals to change existing arrangements or policy in respect of jury rooms.

Libra Project

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of magistrates courts are operating the office automation element of the Libra project in parallel with legacy systems.

Michael Wills: There are currently 16 magistrates courts committees (MCC) out of a total of 42 that are the operating the office automation (OA) element of the Libra project. In addition, about half of Greater London is operating the service. All of these MCCs operate legacy systems in parallel, as legacy systems will not be replaced until the new Libra software is available to run over the OA infrastructure. Deployment of the service is currently under way in a further two MCCs.

Extradition Costs

John Maples: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what has been the total cost to public funds to date of (a) legal aid and (b) Government legal costs in the extradition cases of (i) Ibrahim Hussein Abdul Hadi Eidarous, (ii) Khalid A. Fawwaz and Adil Muhammad, (iii) Abdul al-Majid Bari and (iv) Rachid Rausda.

Rosie Winterton: In the case of (a) the legal aid costs recorded to date by the Legal Services Commission relating to criminal and civil proceedings connected with extradition have been:
	(i) Ibrahim Eiderous—£107,416
	(ii) Khalid Al Fawwaz—£157,077
	(iii) Abdel Muhammad Abdul Al Magid Abdelbary—£164,432
	(iv) Rachid Ramda—£20,456
	Not all work has yet been billed and assessed.
	In the case of (b) the costs of the cases for Messrs. Eidarous, Bari and Fawwaz have been a total of £16,500 in counsel fees and for Mr. Ramda £15,000 in counsel fees. Further bills are expected.

Judicial Appointments Report

Nick Palmer: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will publish the Third Judicial Appointments annual report.

Michael Wills: The Judicial Appointments annual report, covering the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001, was published yesterday. The report includes comprehensive narrative descriptions together with statistics on appointments to the judiciary, Queen's Counsel, Lay Magistrates and General Commissioners of Income Tax. It also includes information on the Lord Chancellor's appointments policies and procedures; on the progress in implementing Sir Leonard Peach's recommendations, such as the appointment of the First Commissioner for Judicial Appointments. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	The report is also available on the following website address: http://www.lcd.gov.uk.

Court Service Review

Helen Jones: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will begin the quinquennial review of the Court Service.

Michael Wills: I yesterday formally launched the first review of the Court Service which was established as an executive agency in April 1995. The terms of reference have been agreed and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The Lord Chancellor's Department would like to hear from those who wish to contribute to the review. It is intended that the review should be completed by spring 2002.

Medical Records

Christine Russell: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to keep under review the fee for individuals to gain access to their medical records under the Data Protection Act 1998.

Michael Wills: The maximum fee for subject access to medical records held in computerised form is £10. For the time being, the Data Protection (Subject Access) (Fees and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 maintain at £50 the maximum fee for subject access to medical records held in other forms. The Government believe that, in the light of current technology and record-keeping practice, the £50 maximum strikes the proper balance between ensuring that cost is not a barrier to subject access and avoiding the diversion of resources from patient care. The Government are committed to working with the Information Commissioner, in consultation with other key interests, with the aim of finding a long-term solution.

Trials (Magistrates Courts)

Tom Watson: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates court trials scheduled to be heard on a particular day in England and Wales between January and July had to be rescheduled because the prosecution police witness failed to attend.

Michael Wills: Information is not collected nationally on adjournments and rescheduling, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, in a pilot study run in nine of the 42 magistrates courts committee areas between 2 April and 29 June 2001, 6,267 trials were listed. Of those, 1,176 trials were ineffective for a variety of reasons, 81 of which were as a result of a prosecution police witness failing to attend. An ineffective trial is defined as:
	"On the trial date expected progress is not made due to action or inaction by one or more of the prosecution, the defence or the court, and a further listing for trial is required".

Trials (Magistrates Courts)

Tom Watson: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many trials in magistrates courts in England and Wales were rescheduled from the original date between January and July.

Michael Wills: Information is not collected on adjournments and rescheduling, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Trials (Magistrates Courts)

Tom Watson: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many trials were heard by magistrates courts in England and Wales between January and July.

Michael Wills: In the period between January 2001 and June 2001 a total of 27,444 cases brought by the Crown Prosecution Service were contested in the magistrates courts, compared to 29,030 in the same period in 2000 and 31,857 in 1999. A contest is defined as
	'a case that has proceeded to trial against a defendant on at least one either-way or summary charge'. The figure includes both cases in which a defendant has entered some guilty pleas to charges before the court and no guilty pleas. 1
	No figure is available for cases prosecuted by other agencies.
	1 Source:
	CPS Caseload Statistics

Computer Crime

Paul Burstow: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases of computer (a) hacking, (b) fraud and (c) theft his Department has recorded in 2000 and 2001; and on how many occasions in 2000 and 2001 computer systems in his Department have been illegally accessed by computer hackers (i) within and (ii) outside his Department.

Michael Wills: The number of cases of computer hacking, fraud and theft recorded by the Lord Chancellor's Department is as follows:
	
		
			  2000 2001 
		
		
			 Computer   
			 (a) Hacking 2 2 
			 (b) Fraud 0 0 
			 (c) Theft 11 12 
			
			 Illegal access by computer hackers   
			 (a) Within 0 1 
			 (b) Outside 2 1 
		
	
	No protectively marked information was lost in the incidents of theft and the hacking incidents caused no damage to the departmental computer systems.

Magistrates Courts Service Annual Report

Geraint Davies: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will publish the annual report of the chief inspector of the magistrates courts service; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: Copies of the chief inspector's annual report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	The chief inspector's report describes the work of the Inspectorate over the past year and reports some of its principal findings. Magistrates courts committees (MCCs) are seen to have made improvements in many areas. In particular, the co-operation between the courts, police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) at an operational level, has strengthened further. The progress made on the operation of the 'Narey' reforms aimed at reducing delay in the magistrates courts and the Government's pledge to reduce the time taken to deal with persistent young offenders are examples of the benefits of close working.
	There have been advances made in the collection of performance information, and in the way it is represented to the MCC, but effective analysis of this information remains a weakness for a number of MCCs. This is in spite of the situation being highlighted in last year's report. MCCs are, however, demonstrating a better awareness of the need to provide the strategic direction and of leaving operational matters to their officers.

WALES

Departmental Assets

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what stocks of (a) antiques, (b) paintings and (c) fine wines are held by his Department; if he will list such assets sold over the last three years together with the sale proceeds from such transactions; what plans he has to sell further such assets over the period of the current comprehensive spending review; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Murphy: A summary of my Department's asset holdings is given in the National Asset Register (Cm 5221, July 2001). Since it was established on 1 July 1999, the Wales Office has made no significant disposal of assets and has no plans to do so.

Energy Efficiency Week

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action his Department took in recognition of energy efficiency week.

Don Touhig: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on 30 October 2001, Official Report, column 592W.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Hooliganism

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what further measures are to be initiated to help prevent violence and hooliganism at sporting events.

John Denham: I have been asked to reply.
	Apart from the Football (Disorder) (Amendment) Bill, which is undergoing parliamentary scrutiny, no relevant legislation is currently proposed. An extensive range of specific legislative measures is in place for tackling violence and disorder at football matches while general public order and other provisions are available for dealing with the much lower levels of disorder experienced at other sporting events. Legislation alone will not eradicate violence and hooliganism. That is why the Government are committed to monitoring implementation of the 55 recommendations contained in the Working Group on Football Disorder report, published in March, and to helping the relevant authorities take forward the recommendations on crowd management contained in the Cricket Disorder Review Group report, published in September.

Manchester Commonwealth Games

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the work of the Ministerial Group on the Manchester Commonwealth Games.

Richard Caborn: Following the election the ad hoc Ministerial Group on the Commonwealth Games was reconstituted as a formal Cabinet Committee, MISC 15, under the joint chairmanship of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Minister for the Cabinet Office. Its terms of reference are
	"to consider option and policies for the Government's approach towards the Manchester Commonwealth Games 2002".
	MISC 15 will meet as business arises.

Manchester Commonwealth Games

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much public money has been spent in each of the last five years to construct the necessary facilities, transport networks and accommodation in connection with the Manchester Commonwealth Games.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The information is as follows.
	
		£ million 
		
			 Capital expenditure 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 Total 
		
		
			 City of Manchester Stadium 0.5 0.4 3.3 12.9 41.9 59.0 
			 English Institute of Sport — — 0.1 0.2 1.3 1.6 
			 Manchester Acquatics Centre 0.6 3.3 11.4 11.8 5.2 32.3 
			 Heaton Park Bowling Greens — — — — 0.4 0.4 
			 Bisley — — — — 5.6 5.6 
			 Bolton Arena — — 1.25 1.5 7.1 9.85 
		
	
	The table shows public expenditure over the last five financial years on venues primarily constructed for the Commonwealth Games. The expenditure is made up of funds from Manchester City Council and/or Sport England. To date no public money has been incurred on Games accommodation or on transport networks.

Picketts Lock

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if Her Majesty's Government will recompense the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority for the costs it incurred in respect of the athletics stadium at Picketts Lock; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Ann Roberts, the Chair of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, wrote to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 12 October about this. We will give very careful consideration to her letter.

Athletics Facilities

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will discuss with Scottish Ministers the locating of national athletics facilities for the United Kingdom in Scotland.

Richard Caborn: The question of whether there should be national athletics facilities needs to be determined by UK Athletics' own long-term strategic objectives. A long term development plan for athletics in this country is being developed by UK Athletics in discussion with Sport England and my Department.

Athletics Facilities

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what stadiums there are in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) London capable of holding international athletics events under the auspices of the IAAF.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 29 October 2001
	The IAAF have a variety of different international track, road, indoor and cross country events with different technical requirements. Four stadiums have hosted the IAAF Grand Prix and the AAA National Championships in recent years: London—Crystal Palace; Birmingham—Alexander Stadium; Sheffield—Don Valley; and Gateshead—the Gateshead Stadium. None of the venues is currently able to host the IAAF World Athletics Championships, however the Don Valley Stadium is fully capable of being converted to World Championships standard.

Athletics Facilities

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of United Kingdom sports medicine provision for international athletics; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 29 October 2001
	The UK Sports Institute (UKSI) is currently setting up a network of world class facilities and services to elite athletes. There will be centres in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and a network of regional centres in England. Each centre will provide state of the art sports science and medicine facilities.
	The Government, through UK Sport and Sport England, continue to fund the work of the National Sports Medicine Institute (NSMI). The Institute promotes good medical practice in the treatment of athletes at all levels, including adequate preparation for events and the importance of a sound diet for optimum health and performance.
	In addition, the UKSI and NSMI work closely with the British Olympic Medical Centre (BOMC), based at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, on co-ordination and delivery of sports medicine and science services for elite athletes in the UK.
	Following a monitoring report on their World Class Performance Plan, published at the start of 2001, and subsequent joint work between UK Athletics and UK Sport, UK Athletics commissioned an independent review of its sports medicine provision. Dr. Ken Fitch, who has undertaken significant reviews across the world, including the Australian Institute of Sport, was responsible for the review. The Minister for Sport recently met with UK Athletics and Dr. Fitch to discuss sports medicine provision for international athletics.
	UK Athletics have just received Dr. Fitch's report and they will be putting together an action plan for the short, medium and long term to enhance their provision of sports medicine to athletes. The UKSI also contributed to the review and UK Sport will work in partnership with UK Athletics on the implementation of the review's recommendations.

Golden Jubilee

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received about plans for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Richard Caborn: A number of representations have been received in support of widening the distribution of the Golden Jubilee commemorative medal to include other groups, particularly the police.

Golden Jubilee

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans her Department has made for the celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to the announcements made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 23 November 2000, and 22 June 2001. Also relevant is the joint Home Office and Ministry of Defence press notice of 15 February 2001, in which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced the Golden Jubilee commemorative medal.
	After taking on responsibility for the Golden Jubilee celebrations, I announced on 3 August 2001 details of the extended bank holiday 'Jubilee Weekend' over the period 1–4 June 2002. A copy of the press notice is in the Library of the House. The events include:
	Saturday 1 June
	Classical concert in Buckingham Palace Gardens.
	Sunday 2 June
	Jubilee church services and bell-ringing across the UK.
	Monday 3 June
	Pop concert in Buckingham Palace Gardens followed by beacon-lighting and firework display.
	Tuesday 4 June
	Ceremonial procession to St. Paul's and the National Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's (morning).
	Lord Mayor of London hosts lunch at the Guildhall.
	Golden Jubilee carnival pageant in the Mall (afternoon).

Golden Jubilee

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to allow school children free tickets to the Commonwealth games to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Richard Caborn: The Commonwealth games are a commercial event, and the organisers have an imperative to sell all the available tickets. However, tickets for the games have been set at a level to ensure that people can afford them. Ticket prices start at £5 and over half of all tickets will be priced at £10 or less. Five events, the marathon, triathlon, walking, and mountain and road cycling will also be free.
	Local school children will be taking part in the opening and closing ceremonies. Alongside the Commonwealth games the organisers, Manchester 2002 Ltd., are also organising the Sprit of Friendship Festival and Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay. These will offer a range of opportunities for school children to participate in the broader games programme and celebrate the Golden Jubilee.

Museum Attendance

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the level of museum attendance was (a) last year, (b) this year and (c) projected for next year.

Kim Howells: Total visitor attendance at those museums and galleries sponsored by my Department are as follows:
	2000–01: 29.8 million actual outturn
	2001–02: 27.6 million estimated outturn
	2002–03: 29.7 million projected.
	Attendances at museums throughout the UK are estimated to be over 77 million annually.

Olympic Games

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of the loss of the venue for hosting the World Athletics Championships on the future of an Olympic bid from the United Kingdom.

Richard Caborn: The British Olympic Association has yet to decide whether to bid for the Olympic games in 2012, 2016 or later. My officials are currently discussing the prospects for such a bid based on London with the British Olympic Association, Greater London Authority, UK Sport and Sport England. Those discussions include the drafting of a consultancy proposal for a cost-benefit analysis of bidding for and, if successful, staging an Olympic games in London which would include an assessment of the chances of success of such a bid.

Olympic Games

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the cost to public funds of supporting a bid to host the 2012 Olympic games.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 29 October 2001
	The British Olympic Association has yet to decide whether to bid for the 2012 Olympic games. My officials are currently discussing the prospects for such a bid based on London with the British Olympic Association, Greater London Authority, UK Sport and Sport England. Those discussions include the drafting of a consultancy proposal for a cost-benefit analysis of bidding for and, if successful, staging an Olympic games in London which would include an assessment of the costs to public as well as private funds.

Community Fund

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the Government have to ensure equality among London boroughs for future distributions of awards by the Community Fund.

Richard Caborn: The Government's commitment to ensuring that Lottery funding is fairly distributed is reflected in the changes made to Lottery distribution through the National Lottery Act 1998 and revised Policy Directions issued to distributors in the summer of 1998. Decisions concerning distribution of awards are a matter for the Community Fund.

Wembley Stadium

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to recoup Government money invested in the Wembley National Stadium project.

Richard Caborn: No exchequer funds have been committed to the National Stadium project. Sport England have provided a grant of £120 million to Wembley National Stadium Ltd. to secure the acquisition of the Wembley site and to take forward development work. Discussions are continuing between Patrick Carter, the Football Association and Sport England to determine the future direction of the project.

Wembley Stadium

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on Wembley stadium.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 26 October 2001
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle) and Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) and the hon. Member for Ryedale (Mr. Greenway) on 19 October 2001, Official Report, column 1380W.

European Football Championships

Mohammad Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support she plans to give to Scotland's bid to host the 2008 European Football Championships.

Richard Caborn: The possibility of a bid for Euro 2008 by Scotland is a matter for the SFA and the Scottish Executive. I will receive an update on bids to stage major sports events in Scotland at the next meeting of the Sports Cabinet on 31 October.

Football (Funding)

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial support is provided through (a) Sport England, (b) UK Sport and (c) other Government funding sources to develop football at the grassroots.

Richard Caborn: Football is the nation's most popular participation sport by far, and it is a priority for both the Government and Sport England to develop the sport at the grass roots. Sport England's funding for football has been channelled through the Football Foundation since July 2000. The Foundation received Lottery funding totalling £7 million from Sport England in 2000–01, and the majority of this went to funding the sport at the grass roots level. Children's and recreational football also benefits from substantial Sport England Lottery funding for multi-use capital projects, and the financial benefits to grass roots football cannot be quantified.
	In addition, exchequer-funded grants from Sport England to the Football Association to fund work on grass roots development totalled £165,000 in 1998–99 and £144,000 in 1999–2000.
	The primary role of UK Sport is to support elite sportsmen and women by funding the development of training and competition facilities, and the provision of high quality coaching. UK Sport does not fund grass roots development initiatives in any sport.

Sports Review

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what are the (a) terms, (b) timescale and (c) membership of the Performance and Innovation Unit review of how major sporting events are staged.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 29 October 2001
	Details of the Performance and Innovation Unit review will be announced shortly.

BBC

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) black and (b) Asian governors there are on the BBC Board of Governors.

Kim Howells: The BBC Board of Governors currently includes one black and one Asian member.

BBC

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she last discussed the ethnic breakdown of staff with the Director General of the BBC.

Kim Howells: Decisions about recruitment of staff and equal opportunities are the responsibility of the BBC. I understand that the BBC has launched a number of managerial development schemes and training initiatives aimed at ensuring that 10 per cent. of BBC staff are from ethnic minorities by 2003.

Independent Commission on Gaming

David Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received from non-profit making private clubs on the proposals of the Independent Commission on Gaming; and how many of these expressed concern regarding the impact on their clubs if the Commission's proposals were implemented.

Richard Caborn: We have received over 1,500 representations from such clubs, all expressing concern about the proposal by the Gambling Review Body that they should no longer be allowed to install jackpot gaming machines.

Independent Commission on Gaming

David Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact on the financial viability of non-profit making private clubs of the proposals of the Independent Commission on Gaming.

Richard Caborn: We shall make such an assessment, following the closure today of the consultation period on the report of the Gambling Review Body.